Process underway to set up a governance structure for newly established Makhathini Lower Pongola Water User Association for collaborative water use in the Northern KZN
The process to set up a governance structure for the newly established Makhathini Lower Pongola Water User Association (WUA) has commenced and the interim management committee which developed the proposal and the constitution, will facilitate the election of the management committee that will be convened on Tuesday, 16 May 2023, in Jozini in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The purpose of a WUA is to enable water users within a community to pool their resources including money, human resources, and expertise to carry out water-related activities more effectively. Through a WUA, members can benefit from addressing their local water needs and priorities.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu published a Gazette Notice No 48514 early this month, for the establishment of the Makhathini Lower Pongola WUA in terms of the section 92 (1) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998).
A WUA is a statutory body established by the Minister under the National Water Act. It is a co-operative association of individual water users who wish to undertake water-related activities for their mutual benefit.
The area of operation of the Makhathini Lower Pongola WUA traverses the jurisdictions of the Jozini and uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipalities under the uMkhanyakude and Pongola Local Municipality in the Zululand District respectively. The area of operation also falls within the Pongola to Mtamvuna Water Management Area which is located in the KZN.
The area commences from the W44E quaternary catchment in the basin of Pongolapoort Dam flowing north down the Pongola River catchment to the border of Mozambique, stretching to the eSwatini Boarder in the west and aligning to the 45a and 45b quaternary boundaries on the east. This incorporates the quaternaries W43F, W45A,B, and W57K.
The Makhathini Lower Pongola WUA management committee will consist of 15 members representing the following user groups within the catchment including:
1. Commercial and emerging farmers
2. Tourism and Recreation
3. Nature Conservation
4. Water Services Authorities (uMkhanyakude and Zululand District Municipalities)
5. uMkhanyakude Local House of Traditional Leaders
All members in the water users groups or sectors that appears in the approved constitution in accordance to the voter’s list will be afforded an opportunity to nominate or elect the preferred representatives on the Management Committee. The Amakhosi representing the Jozini, uMhlabuyalingana and Pongola Local Municipalities are also invited.
Enquiries regarding the gazette should be made to bofilatose@dws.gov.za
