2 November 2006
The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks, today
launched the Inkomati Catchment Agency, the first functional agency in South
Africa since 1994.
The agency is one of the 19 catchment agencies in the country that were
established in terms of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998). Inkomati
started working a year ago after its Governing Body was appointed by the
Minister. The purpose of the establishment of catchments agencies is to
decentralise the management of water resources throughout the country.
Addressing dignitaries, among them Minister Felicio Zacharia of Mozambique
and Minister Dumisile Sukati of Swaziland, Minister Hendricks said South Africa
was joining other countries of the world in implementing one of the resolutions
agreed to at the Rio World Summit in 1992.
"The resolution is a simple but profound one. It is a resolution that
decision-making regarding natural resources be done at lowest appropriate
level; a resolution that people should be involved in natural resource
management decisions that affect their lives. The White Paper on a national
Water Policy for South Africa gives voice to this approach, allowing for the
establishment of Catchment Management Agencies."
"While we have done well over the past 12 years, we still have much to do
and achieve. We are a water scarce country. We are also a country with very
high levels of poverty, especially in rural areas. Apartheid has made poverty
rampant particularly among women and children," Minister Hendricks said.
She said compulsory licensing for the use of water was one tool in the
armament for the redistribution of water. Inkomati was water stressed and the
local demand for water exceeded its supply. The situation made it critical for
Inkomati Catchment Agency to plan. Its plan should ensure that there was
sufficient water to get through the dry and the wet periods.
The Minister said Inkomati Catchment Agency was also faced with the
challenge of ensuring the provision of water to the neighbouring states." The
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region is one of the few areas in
the world with functioning protocol on managing shared river basins. Our water
law is very progressive on this matter, recognising the importance of ensuring
water for the downstream countries."
She urged officials of the Inkomati Catchment Agency to champion the
development and upliftment of poor, rural and marginalised communities. "Iâm
aware that the board of the Inkomati Catchment Agency has developed a plan to
communicate their activities and new role they will be playing in the
management of water within the entire catchment and will soon be seen and heard
by all our communities. I applaud and encourage such relationships."
Enquiries:
Silas Mbedzi
Cell: 082 888 3697
Thandi Mapukata
Cell: 082 880 8016
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
2 November 2006
