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Water security for all in the uMhlathuze catchment

The uMhlathuze catchment in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal region faces critical water security challenges, encompassing both quantity and quality issues. These challenges are closely tied to land use activities such as mining, agriculture, and industry, which put significant pressure on water resources. Unregulated overuse further exacerbates the situation, compounded by the impacts of climate change.

The severity of these issues became even more evident during the 2016 drought, which severely reduced water availability in the catchment. The drought had a profound impact on the Goedertrouw Dam, a vital water source for the uMhlathuze region, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable water management practices.

The Goedertrouw Dam in the uMhlathuzte Catchment. © Jasper Anhede

UWASP: A Collaborative Effort to Strengthen Water Security in the uMhlathuze Region

This led to the creation of the uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (UWASP), established to tackle water security challenges in the uMhlathuze region. The partnership focuses on improving water management and availability through collaborative resource management while enhancing livelihoods through strategic climate adaptation initiatives.

UWASP was formed by key stakeholders, including GIZ’s International Water Stewardship Programme (IWaSP)—now the Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS)—alongside the National Business Initiative (NBI), Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Prominent local businesses such as Tongaat Hulett, Mondi South Africa, Grindrod, Transnet, and Richards Bay Minerals, as well as government entities like the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Pongola-uMzimkhulu Proto-Catchment Management Agency, also played an integral role in its formation.

By unlocking the value of water, the partnership delivers social, economic, and environmental benefits. The partnership´s vision is an “effectively managed uMhlathuze catchment that supports water security for all”. To realize this vision, UWASP adopts a collaborative and inclusive approach, fostering consensus among stakeholders to develop shared solutions and actionable strategies to address critical water resource challenges.

Building Climate Resilience in the uMhlathuze Catchment

The UWASP is advancing a five-year strategy (2024 –2029) to strengthen climate resilience in the catchment by enhancing water governance, improving service delivery, and fostering green economy skills. Key focus areas of the strategy include :

  • Enhancing the management of the freshwater coastal lakes and surface water dams that provide for the needs of uMhlathuze’s population.
  • Supporting water use efficiency and reducing water loss amongst downstream users.
  • Facilitating agricultural water stewardship and irrigation efficiency.
  • Securing ecological infrastructure through invasive species clearing and wetland rehabilitation.
  • Developing community water-related champions, entrepreneurs and micro enterprises.

To support these efforts, NatuReS, WWF, and NBI partnered with GroundTruth to conduct a scoping study to assess the feasibility of grey-green infrastructure project interventions to address water security challenges in the uMhlathuze catchment. The project aimed to contribute to the overall strategic vision and the five-year focus areas of UWASP by increasing the climate resilience of the uMhlathuze catchment to water-related climate change impacts, whilst addressing environmental and socio-economic development challenges in the catchment. Therefore, the scoping study evaluated the financial, social, economic and ecological feasibility of grey-green infrastructure interventions in the uMhlathuze catchment areas.

Proposed Grey-Green Interventions: Key Outcomes of the Study

Melmoth Dams: Melmoth Dams are a key water supply for the eMthonjaneni area for domestic and industrial use. The following interventions were proposed to improve the water quality and quantity of downstream users in the catchment; (i) the removal of the problematic bush encroachment, Invasive Alien Plants removal, (ii) improved buffer zone management and (iii) re-vegetation of indigenous trees/vegetation.

Nkandla Landfill Site and Cemetery: The ‘Inkandla Landfill Site’ is located in the Nkandla local Municipality and includes the landfill and the wastewater treatment ponds. The following interventions were proposed as measures to preserve the health of the Goedertrouw dam; (i) enhancement of the existing wastewater treatment facility and (ii) enhancement of ecosystem services within the receiving freshwater ecosystem

Empangeni Catchment Management: This site focuses on the Mpangeni, Niwe and Ndabayakhe Lake, which flow directly into the uMhlathuze River. These lakes provide key ecosystem services for the Empangeni catchment including flood attenuation, sediment trapping and water for domestic use. The proposed interventions include (i) sustainable management of agricultural activities around the lake,(ii) management of inflow streams into the lakes through  litter booms and sediment fences in upstream channels, and (iii) freshwater management which can include clearing of invasive alien plants  and improving stormwater management.

Integrating Green Infrastructure for a Just and Inclusive Future

© Jasper Anhede

In addition to enhancing ecological outcomes, these interventions also tackle socio-economic challenges, contributing to a broader socio-ecological transformation. This transformation embodies a shift toward harmonizing economic development with social and environmental goals, exemplified by the expansion of the green economy and the growing emphasis on integrating green infrastructure with traditional grey infrastructure.

Harnessing the benefits of green infrastructure also plays a key role in supporting a Just Transition, i.e. greening the economy in a way that is equitable, inclusive and just for all actors of society. For the identified sites this could, for instance:

  • Socio-economic opportunities for surrounding local communities: The surrounding communities are characterised by high poverty levels and high levels of unemployment. Creating opportunities in the restoration economy (e.g. alien invasive clearing, management of bush encroachment, and rehabilitation of wetlands) will create new socio-economic benefits including for example job creation and capacity development, especially for the most vulnerable groups of society.
  • Social security – Strengthening the resilience of communities, particularly vulnerable groups in low income and informal settlement, through the creation of income generation opportunities and capacity building.
  • Climate adaption and resilience – Restoration of the wetland ecosystems will improve water security for downstream water users, and enhance water supply for everyone, especially for vulnerable groups. It will also enhance the flood attenuation capacity upstream, which will help to buffer the settlements from floods.
  • Sustainable urban development – Enhancing the functioning of ecosystems in the catchment will introduce a level of holistic development by harnessing green and grey infrastructure, which could become an opportunity for the municipalities to replicate and up-scale

What´s next?

As a next step, these results will now be further unpacked by UWASP to design interventions for these sites and find potential funders for them to support a water secure and socially inclusive future for the uMhlathuze catchment.

Sustainable Industries Conference, Pretoria, South Africa: Charting the way for global eco-industrial solutions

Global leaders unite at 2024 Sustainable Industries Conference to drive eco-industrial innovation

The 2024 Sustainable Industries Conference held in Pretoria, South Africa, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts from around the world to discuss cutting-edge strategies for creating sustainable and efficient industrial spaces. Hosted by the National Cleaner Production Center – South Africa (NCPC-SA), along with its partners, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the South African Department for Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the three-day event showcased the future of industrial efficiency through various Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) related topics.

Participants from various organisations and sectors attended the conference ©LM Photography

A platform for cross-sectoral collaboration, innovation and transformative ideas

The event was part of a larger conference on “Industrial Efficiency and International Eco-Industrial Parks & Areas” by the NCPC-SA. It took place from 11 to 13 September 2024 in Pretoria at the International Convention Centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in conjunction with the NCPC-SA’s biennial conference on industrial efficiency. This was more than a conference – it was a platform for cross-sectoral collaboration, innovation, and transformative ideas. The conference was split across three action-packed days. The first day focused on industrial efficiency at a national level, the second day covered EIP-related topics, culminating in a site visit on the third day to the Rosslyn Industrial Area, in the northern outskirts of Pretoria, which is the production site for major multinational companies such as BMW, Nissan, Tata, South African Breweries and Nampak. Speakers addressed a wide array of topics such as resource efficiency, circularity, digitisation, performance management, localisation and environmental sustainability.

Opening words by Liteboho Makhele, NatuReS Country Coordinator South Africa ©Jonas Kertscher

NatuReS driving the international dialogue on eco-industrial development and Just Transition

As key partners of the conference, the GIZ’s Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS), played a pivotal role in broadening the international dialogue on eco-industrial development. NatuReS facilitated the attendance of 18 international delegates, including speakers  from its partner countries Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zambia to share insights, knowledge and experiences on how stewardship multi-stakeholder partnerships are advancing a Just Transition to greener, more sustainable industrial practices, while expanding the network of experts and stakeholders involved in sustainable industrial space activities.

Here are some of the key presentations:

Eng. Miriam Esanju from the Wami Ruvu Basin Water Board in Tanzania, presented on “Improving Environmental Sustainability and Compliance for Special Economic Zones (SEZ) through a Stewardship Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (SMSP).” Her talk highlighted how Tanzania is using collaborative approaches to enhance environmental standards in industrial spaces.

Presentation by Eng. Miriam Esnaju from the Wami Ruvu Basin Water Board, Tanzania ©Jonas Kertscher

Mr. Mergia Kuma, Head of the Environment, Health, and Social Safeguard Department at Ethiopia’s Industrial Park Development Corporation (IPDC), delved into the “Engagement of an Industrial Park with Multiple Stakeholders through the Stewardship Approach.” His case study of Ethiopia’s industrial parks demonstrated the power of cross-sectoral partnerships to drive sustainable development.

Bernd Oellermann of NCPC presented an innovative approach to industrial sustainability with his talk, “Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Industrial Parks – Increasing Sustainability and Resilience of Industrial Spaces.” He shared best practices in operational guidelines that enhance the long-term viability of eco-industrial areas.

In a dual presentation, Dr. Faith Lawrence from the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) in Scotland and Sarah Beerhalter, Head of the GIZ’s NatuReS Programme in Germany, explored the synergies between different sustainability frameworks in their talk, “Eco-Industrial Parks Framework (EIP), Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard), and the Natural Resources Risk and Action Framework (NRAF).”

Sarah Beerhalter, Head of GIZ´s NatuReS Programme, presenting the Natural Resources Risk and Action Framework (NRAF) ©Jonas Kertscher

Reem Mahmoud Abdel Aziz from GIZ Egypt and Mark Jaeger from GIZ’s Sustainable Industrial Areas Working Group in Germany wrapped up the sessions with “Sustainable Industrial Area Transformation: GIZ Tools and Approaches,” providing a deep dive into practical tools that industries can use to transition toward more sustainable operations.

Video sessions and presentations from the conference can be accessed here.

Building a greener, more sustainable future

To provide the chance for more in-depth exchange between the delegates, the NatuReS programme organised a networking event on the evening of 12 September. This event allowed participants to build on initial discussions held earlier this year at the the 12th Zambian Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) which took place on 11 to 13 June 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia, and laid the foundation for cooperation and knowledge sharing between the partners. The event also enabled the partners to deepen their understanding of the stewardship approach and opened up new avenues for the replication of the NatuReS stewardship partnership approach and tools across the different sectors and countries. Building on these discussions, plans are underway for further exchange meetings to take place in Ethiopia and Tanzania in the future, where stakeholders will continue to develop partnerships and share knowledge that can help scale sustainable practices in industrial areas across the continent.

The 2024 Sustainable Industries Conference was more than just a meeting of minds – it was a catalyst for change, offering a blueprint for how countries and industries worldwide can collaborate to build a greener, more sustainable future.

Industrial parks South Africa – today, tomorrow together

On 19th September 2020 the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in collaboration with National Treasury, National Cleaner Production Centre-South Africa (NCPC-SA) and GIZ Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS) hosted the first Industrial Parks Futures Dialogue under the theme Progress and Charting of the Way Forward for the Industrial Parks Revitalisation Programme. This event was followed by the National Eco-Industrial Park Day on 12 October 2023 (National EIP Day) which was jointly hosted by NCPC-SA and the dtic. NatuReS participated at the National EIP Day and presented on Rethinking Industrial Parks in South Africa. Both events were attended by over 80 delegates respectively and they provided a formidable platform to map out the current challenges and interventions around industrial parks in South Africa. Additionally, the two events enabled discourse and ideation on innovating solutions to unlock the development potential of industrial parks in the country.  To this end, this article seeks to synthesise and capture the discussions and insights generated by outlining the current landscape, discussing what could be done and how can we collectively overcome the existing challenges in industrial areas.

Flyer industrial parks futures dialogue ©Amanda Nyingwa

Today – the  current landscape

The current picture of public-owned industrial parks and economic zones ( for purpose of article collectively referred to as industrial areas) in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa is not encouraging Industrial areas struggle with attracting and retaining tenants, contributing towards employment creation and with implementing measures to overcome the fundamental obstacles to industrialisation in a particular country.  In particular, industrial areas in South Africa are confronted with a myriad of climate and environmental risks which disrupt their operational abilities.  As pointed out in Dr Lawrence’s presentation at the National EIP Day, the severe flooding which affected the Prospecton Industrial Area in Durban Kwa-Zulu Natal province, where the Toyota manufacturing plant is also located resulted in a 25 week shut down and an estimated of 68,600 vehicles being destroyed.

Screenshot Industrial Parks Futures Dialogue ©Amanda Nyingwa

Tomorrow – what can be done and where to for industrial areas

A business unusual approach is required to turn around the current reality of industrial parks. This was the sentiment echoed by presenters at both events. To realise this endeavour, it is important to address inadequacies in key basic factors needed for successfully running industrial areas. Basic factors include governance and institutional arrangements, financing, safety and security along with other factors. Additionally, industrial areas need to seize new opportunities brought on by technology and move towards eco-industrial development if they are to overcome current challenges.

Stakeholder attending National EIP Day © NCPC-SA

Together – how can this all be realised

To tackle the current challenges faced by industrial parks and take advantage of new opportunities, multistakeholder partnerships were recognised as critical catalytic platforms in both events. In addition, knowledge and information-sharing sessions were also identified as key pillars. This underscored the importance of platforms like the National EIP Day and Industrial Parks Futures Dialogue as critical spaces for bringing together sector stakeholders as well as facilitating dialogue and discourse which has the potential to realise impactful multistakeholder partnerships.   The content covered in the two events highlighted that South Africa’s goal towards globally connected, regionally integrated and locally relevant will not be an easy one. Several key steps will be required in order to address the bottlenecks however, there are a range of opportunities to be exploited including the EIP concept for transitioning industrial parks into green industrial spaces. Furthermore, multistakeholder partnerships are emerging as critical vehicles for addressing challenges. On the subject of multistakeholder partnerships, NatuReS developed the  Natural Resources Risks and Action Framework which serves as a supportive toolbox to tackle shared risks together with stakeholders from affected businesses, communities, and governments.

Dr Faith Lawrence speaking at National EIP Day ©NCPC-SA

Improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in South African schools through cross-sectoral partnership

There is a growing recognition of how poor environmental conditions, particularly lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), negatively affect the most vulnerable – children’s health and, as a result, their school performance. However, these issues are all interlinked. For example, lack of toilets leads to the contamination of water resources; and without clean water, basic hygiene practices cannot be followed.

hand washing
Access to WASH is particularly important in schools, for kids to learn in a safe environment. Image by Freepik

Improving WASH in Schools requires collaborative effort

Understanding and addressing these complex interactions requires diverse and nuanced perspectives from a range of stakeholders and a concerted and collaborative effort to address these challenges across sectors. In the South African context, there are myriad challenges to providing adequate WASH in schools. To complicate matters, different challenges to WASH access and infrastructure pose different challenges and risks at different ages, and for different genders. Younger children, for instance, are at risk of drowning in pit latrines that are not properly managed and maintained. Young girls face numerous challenges related to menstrual hygiene and access to sanitary products. All of this means that providing access to adequate WASH facilities is not only a human rights issue, but an issue of dignity.

Progress towards adequate WASH has been made – but more is needed

While the proportion of people with access to an improved water source has increased, the standards of this access have not been maintained at the same rate, and the proportion of people with access to a water service that is “available when needed” has actually decreased. Recent surveys have also shown that progress on sanitation provision has stalled, with reaching the final 20% proving to be the most difficult to address.

community facilities South Africa
While significant progress has made in providing WASH facilities in communities, backlogs remain. Pictured are community facilities in a South African neighbourhood. Copyright: GIZ/Douglas Momberg

Although backlogs remain, significant progress has been made in providing WASH facilities in communities and schools. For example, over the past decade, children’s access to WASH facilities has increased significantly, largely due to increased urbanisation. In addition, the private sector has been very active in this area, supporting WASH in Schools (WinS), water loss reduction, water access and water quality issues.

A cross-sectoral partnership to strengthen WASH in Schools

To support this progress, NatuReS is partnering with GIZ’s DeveloPPP project, which oversees development partnerships with the private sector, in this case consumer packaged goods company Unilever, to implement systemic approaches to improve WASH in Schools in South Africa. 

Applying the globally proven Fit for School approach, the initiative aims to strengthen operations and maintenance activities in schools, address challenges related to menstrual health and hygiene, and bolster pandemic preparedness and response plans. The team has identified 12 schools in two provinces (Eastern Cape and Gauteng) to pilot and model this approach in urban informal settings.

A joint way forward

Exciting developments include initial meetings with schools, local communities, and provincial and district education officials during August, with a Fit for School intervention tailored to the South African context to be launched in September 2023. Watch this space for updates!