Manzi Water expands stores in South Africa amid growing demand for bottled water  

SOUTH AFRICA – South African bottled water distributor Manzi Water has announced the opening of seven new outlets across the country, marking a major expansion as demand for bottled and prepared water surges.  

The development follows heightened public concerns over deteriorating water quality and access, especially in regions affected by drought, changing weather patterns, and infrastructure failure. 

Founded in 2023, Manzi Water operates through a franchise model. It has grown rapidly to include more than 105 locations with over 300 employees. The company’s product portfolio includes still and sparkling water, as well as fruit juice.  

In addition to its bottled product range, Manzi operates water refill stations and maintains a distribution agreement with Circle K stores at Puma Energy forecourts across South Africa. 

The new outlets will be established in provinces including Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, and Western Cape.  

The company says this expansion will improve access to clean drinking water, boost local economies, and create employment opportunities in the affected regions. 

CEO Alfred Challis noted that the new sites represent an important step in the company’s mission. “With these new outlets, communities from Limpopo to the Western Cape will have easier access to safe, clean drinking water, and we are just getting started,” he said. 

Manzi Water’s expansion comes at a time of significant stress on South Africa’s water infrastructure. Johannesburg, the country’s largest city, is currently facing a widespread water system failure that has affected millions of residents.  

Rand Water, the utility serving Gauteng province, has urged residents to drastically reduce usage to avoid complete reservoir depletion.  

Water levels in the system’s interlinked reservoirs have fallen to 30% capacity, and authorities warn that continued overuse could lead to shutdowns for replenishment. 

Reports from the Department of Water and Sanitation show that 40% of Johannesburg’s water is lost through leaks and burst pipes. The crisis has led to thousands of people queuing daily for access to water. 

Manzi Water competes directly with Oasis Water, the largest bottled water franchise in South Africa. Oasis Water has accused Manzi of poaching franchisees and has taken legal action, claiming converted outlets breached existing agreements.  

Manzi has rejected the claims, stating that Oasis failed to meet its marketing commitments to partners. 

Retailers like Shoprite and Checkers have introduced discounted bottled water pricing to address water poverty during the ongoing crisis. 

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