Striving towards Local Governance in Water Resource Management

The Department of Water and Sanitation in South Africa has appointed board members for its Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs), in a move towards local decision-making in water resource management. The newly-appointed board members are tasked with developing local catchment management strategies, ensuring stakeholder participation, and overseeing water resource management. This step aligns with the government’s initiative to decentralize decision-making and engage local entities in water resource administration. The CMAs aim to focus on quick decision-making protocols and a customer-centric approach to reinforce water resource management at the grassroots level.

Board Members Appointed for Catchment Management Agencies in South Africa: A Decisive Move towards Local Decision-Making in Water Resource Management. This calculated step is in consonance with the National Water Act of 1998 and the National Water Policy for South Africa, as part of a broader initiative to devolve decision-making and engage local entities in water resource administration. The newly inducted board members are entrusted with devising the local catchment management strategy, ensuring the effective participation of stakeholders, and supervising the management of water resources in the assigned water management area.

A Decisive Move Towards Local Decision-Making

In a significant stride towards promoting local governance in water resources management, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in South Africa, has unveiled the induction of Board Members for its Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs). This calculated step is in consonance with the National Water Act of 1998 and the National Water Policy for South Africa, as part of a broader initiative to devolve decision-making and engage local entities in water resource administration.

The formation of the CMAs was intended to enhance the coherent management of water resources at a grassroots level, underpinning the government’s dedication to transitioning from centralized authority. The induction of specialized Board Members signifies a crucial progress towards achieving this objective.

The Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has recently confirmed the appointment of Board Members for the Pongolo – uMzimkhulu and the Vaal Orange Catchment Management Agencies. This selection was endorsed by the Cabinet on November 15, 2023.

Board Members Appointment – A New Chapter Begins

For the Pongolo – uMzimkhulu, the appointed Board Members showcases well-known figures such as Dr. Thava Kelly as Chairperson, Mr. Sibusiso Makhanya in the capacity of Deputy Chairperson, along with additional esteemed members, including Ms. Hlengiwe Ndlovu, Mr. Bhekumuzi Gumbi, Dr. Lembi William Mngoma, Ms. Snenhlanhla Mngadi, Prof. Purshottama Reddy, Mr. Mdandla Myeni, and Ms. Nokuthula Khanyile.

Similarly, the Vaal Orange board includes Mr. Desmond Solomon Fransman as Chairperson, Ms. Tsakane Zwane as Deputy Chairperson, and other members like Mr. Hubert Thompson, Ms. Nontuthuzelo Njeza, Mr. Nakana Masoka, Ms. Ponatshego Mothibi, Ms. Doris Dondur, Ms. Dichikane Mashego and Mr. Louis Van Oudtshoom.

As the Accounting Authority, the Board is entrusted with the operationalization of the CMAs, dispersing responsibilities which include devising the local catchment management strategy, ensuring the effective participation of stakeholders, and supervising the management of water resources in the assigned water management area.

A New Era in Water Resource Management

The CMA, bolstered by its new board members, is determined to cultivate a customer-centric ethos for water resources management. The CMAs aim to embrace quick decision-making protocols around water resource management, which is projected to make them more attentive to water user needs. This strategy is designed to encourage responsibility at the local level, thereby reinforcing water resources management.

The Department has conveyed its felicitations to the newly inducted board members and has extended its best wishes for their upcoming undertakings.

For further information, the Department’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, can be reached. This important transition towards decentralized water management is anticipated to herald a fresh epoch of more efficient and responsive water resource management in South Africa. It aims to restore control to local stakeholders while cultivating a culture of accountability and customer-focused service. This effort establishes a benchmark for other countries dealing with similar issues, exemplifying an inventive approach to promoting local decision-making in water resources management.

1. What is the Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) in South Africa?

The Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) is a government-initiated agency that focuses on the management of water resources at the grassroots level in South Africa.

2. Why did the Department of Water and Sanitation appoint board members for the CMAs?

The Department of Water and Sanitation appointed board members for the CMAs to promote local decision-making and engage local entities in water resource administration.

3. What are the responsibilities of the newly-appointed board members of CMAs?

The newly-appointed board members of CMAs are responsible for developing local catchment management strategies, ensuring stakeholder participation, and overseeing water resource management.

4. What is the aim of the CMAs in South Africa?

The aim of the CMAs in South Africa is to focus on quick decision-making protocols and a customer-centric approach to reinforce water resource management at the grassroots level.

5. Who are some of the newly-appointed board members for Pongolo – uMzimkhulu and Vaal Orange CMAs?

Some of the newly-appointed board members for Pongolo – uMzimkhulu are Dr. Thava Kelly as Chairperson, Mr. Sibusiso Makhanya in the capacity of Deputy Chairperson, and for Vaal Orange, Mr. Desmond Solomon Fransman as Chairperson, Ms. Tsakane Zwane as Deputy Chairperson.

6. What is the Department of Water and Sanitation’s vision for the newly-inducted board members?

The Department of Water and Sanitation conveyed its felicitations to the newly inducted board members and has extended its best wishes for their upcoming undertakings. It aims to restore control to local stakeholders while cultivating a culture of accountability and customer-focused service.