Partnerships in South Africa

• Nelson Mandela Bay Water and Economic Resilience Partnership (NMBSP)
• uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (UWASP)
  • NatuReS’ Cooperation with the Siyazisiza Trust
    

Strategic Collaborations

Partner Voices

South Africa is one of the three most biodiverse countries in the world. It also constitutes the second largest economy in Africa, thanks to the wealth and diversity of its natural capital and water resources. Human development has, however, put severe strain on the environment and the functioning of its eco-systems. The quantity and quality of its natural resources, especially water, is becoming a priority concern. A concerted effort across all sectors is required to safeguard environmental integrity and resilience. This also aligns with the South African National Development Plan 2030 (NDP), which identifies the building of environmental sustainability and water resilience as a national imperative for economic growth.

Location: Eastern Cape

Aim: Support economic development in the Nelson Mandela Bay region through promoting natural resources stewardship and addressing water security challenges

Background: The Nelson Mandela Bay City Region in the Eastern Cape of South Africa is the hub of the automotive indus­try in Africa with a vibrant tourism and export agriculture sector. Yet, the region is embattled by an ongoing drought and is confronted with deficiencies in water supply and sanitation infrastructure with considerably high non-revenue water levels and water use inefficiencies. Furthermore, the ecological integrity of fresh­water ecosystems such as wetlands is degraded, and weather extremes have become more severe due to climate change. The consequence of this is exacerbated water insecurity, which poses a threat to economic growth and job security across the region.

NatuReS working areas: Cities, Catchments

Partners: The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Santam, the Department of Cooperative Governance, the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency and Living Lands

Location: Richardsbay, KwaZulu-Natal

Aim: Improved management of water resources across industry, agriculture and communities

Background: The uMhlathuze River catchment area in KwaZulu-Natal encompasses the city of Richards Bay, extensive irrigated agriculture, forest plantations, industrial complexes and various mining operations. The area relies heavily on the availability of water: Industry underpins the local economy and agriculture is a significant employer of communities in the area.

Activities:

• Non-Revenue Water support, using drone technology 
• Improve collective dam management, harnessing expert knowledge and using a digital platform
• Support better water management by the development of a flow tracker mobile app tool for the region
• Citizen and youth-based water and waste management
• Business and natural resource management training for small-scale farmers
• Local Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) accreditation for small-scale farmers 
• Information campaign on responsible citizenship including the protection of water as a natural resource 

NatuReS working areas: Cities, Catchments

Partners: National Business Initiative, WWF South Africa, Tongaat Hulett South Africa, Mondi and GIZ NatuReS, the City of uMhlathuze, the National Department of Water and Sanitation

Aim: Support the mainstreaming of water stewardship and embedding of resource use efficiency practices in industrial parks together with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to enhance sustainable industrialization.  

Background: South Africa is a water scarce country. As a result, it is important for the country’s industrial parks to optimize their water use and embrace resource efficiency methods. This is critical to reduce the pressure industrial operations have on water resources and to ensure business continuation, as well as to support efforts towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to address challenges arising from climate change. Additionally, industrial parks in South Africa are evolving towards a clear awareness for the interdependencies between their operations and the natural environment. More parks are recognizing that their commercial viability and global competitiveness are linked to their ability to manage risks (internal and external) and mainstream sustainability practices. Water stewardship, water reuse, net zero water and other practices are pivotal to support industrial parks in their response to increasing water risks.

Activities:

• Development of a site-specific case study on net zero water, as well as a net zero water and process analysis for the Atlantis Special Economic Zone
• Enhancing national awareness and expertise on water stewardship for sustainable water management in industrial parks through trainings and virtual knowledge exchanges
• Development of national Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Water Stewardship for the sustainable management and use of water in industrial parks. The SOPs are part of support tools deepening learning and guiding implementation processes in industrial parks.
• Provision of trainings and capacity building opportunities about sustainable water management practices

A public-private platform for strategic water use in South Africa

Aim: Support the promotion of water stewardship best practices, promote partnerships addressing shared risks associated with the water value chain and support institutionalization of water stewardship nationally

Background: Water Stewardship is becoming increasingly important for water sector actors across South Africa. The private sector has showcased various innovative water stewardship approaches through which water management solutions have been implemented both within and beyond the factory fence.

Activities:

• Support SWPN host the Annual South African Water Stewardship Conference, a key event in South Africa’s water calendar
• Co-chair the water stewardship working group together with the South African Local Government Association
• Collaborate with members of the water stewardship working group to explore a frame for the institutionalization of water stewardship in South Africa

Resilient Economic Zones and Industrial Parks: Support embedding of water stewardship and resource use efficiency in industrial parks together with the Department of Trade and Industry and Innovation.

A learning collaboration together with South African Local Government Association, South African Cities Network, USAID WASH-FIN, 2030World Resources Group and selected cities in South Africa

Read an article about the latest event here.

Martin Ginster – Sasol, former private sector co-chair Strategic Water Partners Network

Nomkhita Mona – Former Chief Executive Office of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber