INTRODUCTION
The National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) is the legal instrument and is recognised as the primary mechanism to manage water across all sectors of society towards achieving National Government’s development objectives. The first and second editions of the National Water Resources Strategy were published in 2004 and 2013, respectively.
The purpose of the third edition of the NWRS-3 is to ensure water security and to enable equitable access to water and sanitation in support of socio-economic growth and development. This Strategy is for all sectors and stakeholders who use and impact upon South Africa’s water resources.
South African Water Caucus (SAWC) has been involved with both NWRS 1 & 2 and contributed a lot towards these documents. The MPWC joined the meeting of Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) at Capital Hotel in Mbombela, Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga Province on 13th September 2022.
MEETING REPORT:
Presentations - As expected, there were too many presentations within a short pace of time, from the government and other stakeholders. The purpose of NWRS-3 is to ensure water security and to enable equitable access for water and sanitation. South Africa is a water scarce country and with climate change and global warming gaining more momentum, it is critical that it improves the situation or face serious consequences.
Follow up questions and inputs -
· The biggest threat is the industrial timber plantations (ITP’s) which are known to be using more water than other trees. Gum trees use over 120 litres of water a day or more, depending on the size. They have long-strong root system which can pierce through the water table to steal water reserves. Bushbuckridge is over-planted with gum trees and there was a decision that was taken at a Cabinet level to strategically clear plantations in the Mariepskop Mountain range.
· QUESTIONS:
o Do you have a plan to strategically clear plantations in the Sabie and Sand sub-catchments, or to amend rules and regulation governing the establishment of large-scale ITPs?
o In 2016 there was a severe drought in Bushbuckridge? Will you consider implementing the 2000/01 Cabinet decision?
MPWC’s December Ndhlovu at Injaka Dam during the drought. The drop in water levels can be seen on the tree - water level used to be up to the dark area of the tree
Commissions -
· There were 4 commissions, and MPWC attended the one for increasing water and strategic objectives. In that commission we emphasised the essence of clearing the gum trees for better water quantity and quality.
· The ITPs will never be controllable during drought. We can certainly not restrict gum trees from taking more water. With climate change and global warming at its peak, we should be thinking differently and doing things differently.
Reconciliating Strategy Steering Committee – participation nomination
· MPWC representation was approached DWS that I should be part of the Sabi and Crocodile Reconciliating Strategy Steering Committee because they a civil society representative to speak about the impacts of large-scale industrial timber plantations on water and ecosystem services.
· This nomination came at the right time since MPWC is advocating for the strategic clearance of the gum trees in the Sabie and Sand sub-catchments. We will use this opportunity to lobby for the amendment of the rules and regulations governing commercial timber plantations in South Africa.
The impacts of climate change and global warming is not known whether it has reached its peak or still stretching towards it peak. We have already seen and witnessed the escalating temperatures in South Africa and the worldwide.