Majodina apologises to Kouga after profanity at Loerie pump station launch

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has apologised to the people of Kouga and to all South Africans after she answered profane language with the same words during a community engagement at the launch of the upgraded Loerie Sewer Pump Station.

The engagement took place during her visit to Kouga Local Municipality on 9 September 2026. The apology is set out in a statement published by the South African Government, and it is the minister’s own account of what happened.

What the minister says happened

Majodina states that an unfortunate incident occurred during the engagement. She says she was subjected to profane language and that, in the heat of the moment, she reacted by using the same words directed at her.

She takes full responsibility for her conduct and says she deeply regrets responding in that way. She has apologised to the people of Kouga and to all South Africans.

I accept that responsibility and will continue to learn from this experience.

In the same statement she appeals to members of the public to maintain reciprocal respect when engagements become difficult or emotions run high, so that interactions stay constructive.

Why the engagement was held

Majodina states that the engagement was convened as part of her commitment to norms and standards that promote accountability, and to give communities an opportunity to receive feedback following the completion of government projects.

That is the purpose she gives for the visit, and it is the reason the launch of the upgraded pump station included a session with residents rather than a ribbon and a photograph.

What she says about public office

The minister acknowledges that public representatives are human and can experience moments of frustration like anyone else. She states that this does not diminish the responsibility they carry to remain composed.

She also states that meaningful community engagement requires mutual respect, and that communities must be able to express concerns in a manner that enables constructive dialogue and solutions.

Majodina says she remains committed to engaging communities, listening to their concerns, and serving the people of South Africa with humility, accountability and dedication.

What is not in the record

The statement does not name the individuals involved in the exchange, does not describe the concerns residents raised, and does not set out the profane language used by either side. It records the minister’s account and her apology, and it does not carry a response from the municipality, from residents who attended, or from any other party.

The statement is a summary of the minister’s remarks rather than a full record of the engagement, and it is published by the South African Government as an official media statement.

The next dated step

The Department of Water and Sanitation has not published a follow-up engagement date for Kouga in this statement. The upgraded Loerie Sewer Pump Station, whose launch occasioned the visit, is now in operation.

Source: South African Government (www.gov.za), Minister Pemmy Majodina on remarks made at launch of upgraded Loerie Sewer Pump Station at Kouga Local Municipality, https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/minister-pemmy-majodina-remarks-made-launch-upgraded-loerie-sewer-pump