An integrated assessment of socio-economic and ... - Unesco

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Institutional overview Siyabonga Buthelezi The development of the Orange-Senqu Committee (ORASECOM) was driven by two different motives: The need for water to meet the needs of the South Africa’s power-house province (Gauteng) and political interest (and later management and utilization of the shared resources). This resulted in bilateral negotiations between South Africa and its two neighboring countries (Lesotho and Namibia, respectively). Botswana was later involved. Lesotho and South Africa: Lesotho, being a land-locked country, realized that one of the natural resources it has in abundance is water and that it had the potential to boost its economy. The first study, done in the early 1950’s, only became handy in the 1970’s when South Africa realised the need for water argumentation in Gauteng and Free State provinces of South Africa. Negotiations between the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) of South Africa and Water Affairs/Natural Resources, Lesotho (WAL) started in the 1970’s and the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) was formed in 1978 (Fig. 1). This was the first bilateral agreement in the Orange-Senqu River catchment. The main aim of JTC was to investigate the feasibility of the proposed Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). In 1986 a treaty was signed, LHWP Treaty (LHWPT) and two parastatals were formed, Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) and Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA). The former is responsible for the management of the dam construction and related issues within Lesotho, while the later is responsible for the management of delivery tunnels, transferring water to South Africa. A Joint Permanent Technical Commission (JPTC) was established with the aim of coordinating the two parastatals, and to report to the two governments. This reflected the fact that each parastatal was giving the feedback to its respective government. The JPTC was later upgraded to the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission (LHWC). This was the last bilateral commission, in the Orange-Senqu River Catchment, before the ORASECOM, which is a multi-lateral commission. Namibia and South Africa: The Orange-Senqu River is shared by South Africa and Namibia before it discharges to the Atlantic Ocean’s Alexander Bay. The two countries had been involved in bilateral talks for over 100 years mainly the focused on one specific political issue, the border between these two countries. The focus has, however, changed and concentrated on management and utilization of the shared resources. This led to the formation of JTC in 1987, which was upgraded to a Permanent Water Commission (PWC) in 1992. At the same time (1992) the Joint Irrigation Authority (JIA) was formed, and was subsequently followed by the commissioning of the Orange River Replanning Study (ORRS) in 1994. The multi-lateral talks between Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa eventually incorporated Botswana and the Orange River Commission was formed in 2000. Institution related to water use: In South Africa, the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry is the custodian of all inland water, and the DWAF sells raw water to the Water Boards. This includes both water from systems within South Africa and water from the LHWP. The Water Boards, Rand Water and Bloem Water in the Orange- Senqu River Catchment, then sell raw water to the farmers and treated bulk water to the municipalities. These municipalities then distribute it to the end users who use it for different purposes such as domestic uses and mining. 3
Water Management Area: Of the 19 national Water Management Areas (WMA) in South Africa, 5 of them fall under the Orange-Senqu catchment. There are three on the Vaal: Upper-, Middle- and Lower Vaal WMA, and 2 on the Orange: Upper and Lower Orange River WMA. Although DWAF remains the custodian of water resources in South Africa, the task of their management will be delegated to the Catchment Management Agencies (CMA) that are going to be established to manage the 19 WMA’s that have been identified. The CMA’s will comprise of the Catchment Management Board and will be directly communicating with the Water User Associations (WUA), and will also be obtaining input from the water forums. These water forums will be advising the CMA on different water-related issues, while the WUA will be the link between the CMA and the end users (e.g. domestic, irrigation, industry). Recommendations: It is recommended that the government supports multi-lateral committees, such as ORASECOM, for all trans-boundary river systems. It is suggested that different approaches be used when rolling out the CMA’s. This process should take place in a phased manner and should follow a logical sequence, not implementing all 19 CMA’s at once. This could mean starting with areas where there are already water forums or where they can be easily formed. Some areas might also get high priority, e.g. where there is a dire need for a structure that deals with water-related issues, or where there are major developments taking place. When properly implemented CMA’s can reduce the workload on DWAF officials and can help make the daunting task of water management a little easier. Orasecom institutional structure. 4
Page 1 and 2: An integrated assessment of socio-e
Page 3 and 4: Foreword Sustainable development, m
Page 5 and 6: Table of Contents Executive Summary
Page 7: Map: Key sites visited during the t
Page 11 and 12: esource but protect the environment
Page 13 and 14: should be placed on demand manageme
Page 15 and 16: Celiwe Mbuli observing the Katse Da
Page 17 and 18: Katse Dam with Oraselearn participa
Page 19: (IFR) below the Phase 1 structures

An integrated assessment of socio-economic and ... - Unesco

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