Edition September 2026

Years of public service have shaped Lindokuhle Nzoyi's belief that strong institutions are built through ethical leadership, capable people and a commitment to service delivery. These principles now guide her work as Chief Executive Officer of Amatola Water, where she is focused on improving operational performance, strengthening governance and ensuring reliable water services for communities.

The appointment carries significant responsibility. Amatola Water plays a critical role in supporting water security, public health and economic development in the Eastern Cape. For Nzoyi, leading the water board is therefore less about personal achievement and more about ensuring that the institution continues to deliver, grow and adapt to future challenges.

 “I view the appointment not only as a personal milestone, but as a mandate to serve an institution that plays a critical role in water security and socio-economic development in the Eastern Cape,” Nzoyi reflected. 

Having already led the organisation in an acting capacity, she assumed the permanent position with detailed knowledge of its operations, challenges and relationships. She said the experience allowed her to understand Amatola Water’s strengths and stakeholder environment, while the permanent appointment offers continuity and space for longer-term planning.

“The appointment affirms many years of public service, continuous learning and commitment to institutional development,” she explained. 

Her appointment followed another career milestone – being named Leader of the Year at the 2026 Africa Career Summit Gala and Awards. Nzoyi describes both honours as humbling, but is clear that recognition must translate into results.

“The Leader of the Year Award recognised my leadership journey, while my appointment as Chief Executive placed an even greater responsibility on me to translate leadership into measurable and sustainable institutional performance,” she said.

Measurable leadership

That emphasis on measurable leadership is central to how Nzoyi approaches the role. Amatola Water provides bulk water services, works as a technical partner to municipalities and implements strategic water infrastructure projects. The organisation, therefore, operates where engineering, public finance and the everyday needs of communities meet.

“Water is fundamental to human dignity, public health, economic development and the sustainability of communities,” she said. “My responsibility is to ensure that the organisation continues fulfilling this mandate while contributing meaningfully to the development of the Eastern Cape.”

The task is complicated by financial pressure, municipal debt and ageing infrastructure. Deteriorating assets contribute to breakdowns, service interruptions, higher maintenance costs and water losses, while unpaid municipal accounts place pressure on cash flow and limit the pace of rehabilitation and replacement.

Laying out her vision, she said Amatola Water is strengthening revenue collection, entering into payment arrangements, containing costs and improving debtor and creditor management. Critical maintenance is being prioritised, while the utility engages government and funding institutions about sustainable infrastructure financing and pursues additional business to diversify revenue.

One of the clearest tests will be reducing water losses. Parliament recently expressed concern that losses accounted for about 19% of the utility’s treated water,  while the utility's target is to keep losses below 9%.

“Water losses represent both the loss of a scarce natural resource and revenue that could be reinvested in infrastructure and service delivery,” Nzoyi added.

Addressing the challenges

The utility is using monthly water-balance monitoring, meter installation and calibration, pipeline inspections, leak detection and repairs and the replacement of deteriorated infrastructure. It is also strengthening monitoring through supervisory control and data acquisition and telemetry systems.

Preventative maintenance forms another part of the response. At the same time, the utility is working with municipalities, communities and law enforcement agencies to address illegal connections, vandalism and infrastructure theft.

 Nzoyi also wants municipalities and communities to experience a more responsive institution. Planned improvements include regular operational meetings with customers, clearer escalation channels and better reporting on maintenance, interruptions and restoration times.

“Customer and stakeholder experience is a measurable operational priority at Amatola Water,” she said, adding that emergency response and communication protocols are being reviewed to provide accurate and timely information, while feedback and satisfaction assessments will help identify recurring problems.

Restoring confidence also requires sound governance, with the CEO explaining that the entity was assessing historical non-compliance cases to determine their nature, whether value was received, whether any financial loss occurred and whether officials or service providers bear responsibility.

The CEO added that where wrongdoing, negligence or loss is established, disciplinary, recovery and consequence-management processes will follow. Supply chain management, contract administration, expenditure controls, delegations, compliance monitoring and record keeping are also being strengthened, with audit findings incorporated into monitored action plans.

Future plans

Over the next three to five years, Nzoyi intends to improve financial stability, operational reliability and audit outcomes while accelerating essential maintenance and rehabilitation. A newly approved organisational structure prioritises critical technical positions to strengthen project delivery and the response to water challenges.

The utility is also working towards Blue Drop and Green Drop standards while maintaining the international accreditation standards of its laboratory. Nzoyi said these programmes support drinking water quality, wastewater management, scientific credibility and public confidence.

Her vision is to build Amatola Water into a financially sustainable, technically capable and future-focused utility. While organisational performance is currently above 80%, she aims to sustain it above 95% during her tenure.

Empowering young professionals 

Yet her vision of institutional strength extends beyond performance targets. It also includes developing the next generation of leaders. Transformation, she said, has been a consistent passion throughout her career, including during her time at the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury and the Office of the Premier.

That commitment is reflected in the utility's investment in young professionals. At the time of the interview, Amatola Water had about 20 interns and learners in technical fields, most of them women. They are given meaningful assignments, technical exposure, decision-making responsibilities, mentorship and opportunities to work on complex projects.

Her desired legacy is both operational and human: dependable infrastructure, ethical administration, reliable water services and a new generation of capable leaders equipped to continue the work.

Nzoyi said she wanted her legacy to be defined by the institution's sustainable performance, the reliable delivery of water services and the development of people who would continue to lead and serve beyond her tenure. She added that she hoped her leadership journey would show that women can lead complex infrastructure institutions with courage, discipline, compassion and integrity.