According to the triennial World Water Development Report (2006) of the United Nations, 19 per cent of the South African population still lack access to safe water, and 33 per cent lack basic sanitation services.
In addition, based on the aforementioned goods trade balance, which would still be the major foreign exchange earner for the country, the positive current account balance in 2006 is projected to remain so in 2007, allowing for the external gap to be slowly bridged. By the end 2007, international reserves are expected to hit a new record high in the institution’s 71 years.