The MPWC is a network of organisations, individuals, and institutions that have an interest in and knowledge of water and environmental conservation. The network is divided into two regions, Highveld, and Lowveld. The Lowveld is further divided into two sub-regions, Nkomazi and Bushbuckridge.

LOWVELD – NKOMAZI WATER CAUCUS REGIONAL MEETING:

On the 20th of February, the Nkomazi chapter of the MPWC met in the Steenbok Tribal office to reflect on last year’s resolutions and plan for the year. The meeting focused on:

• SOUTH AFRICAN WATER CAUCUS (SAWC) BIANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (BGM): Excitement was expressed that the BGM was held again after some stumbling blocks in recent years, including the emergence of the COVID-19 outbreak. The MPWC noted the support of the SAWC Secretariat EMG for the solidarity with MPWC.The BGM was held in Polokwane from the 26th – 29th of November 2022, and the resolutions of the BGM were read and discussed.
•   MPWC – NKOMAZI REGION ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES:It was noted that there are many challenges facing Nkomazi, ranging from water pollution, and water shortages to household waste, these are ongoing. It was the emergence of COVID-19 that made MPWC members aware that we have serious food insecurity and potable water shortages. It was for this reason that Nkomazi and Bushbuckridge regions took the decision to establish home food gardens to curb food insecurity and revive indigenous knowledge.Home food gardens and integration of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are central to our approach to water and environmental conservation of natural resources. IKS is important for MPWC to have sustainable solutions for water and environmental conservation activities.
• NKOMAZI WATER CAUCUS PLANS FOR 2023 – The meeting discussed environmental activities and preferred activities:

1.      Home gardens: It was the emergence of COVID-19 that explicitly and harshly reminded us of the reality that we have water and food insecurity challenges that we are facing as a country, it was a very loud wake-up call for most of us. In some areas, there was no water even during COVID-19. The food parcels never reached many households until a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) intervened in the Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi, and Highveld areas. It is because of this experience that MPWC took the decision to encourage its members to develop organic gardens in their yards, instead of planting lawns and flowers. Home gardens are very important for food security and optimum health.

2.      Establish local water caucuses: There is a need for local water caucuses to be established in our communities to respond to issues that affect them at the village and ward levels.

3.      Illegal waste and river cleaning

Nkomazi is one of the areas that is heavily polluted with the once-use disposable nappies. Household waste management is very poor and illegal dumping is everywhere like along the road, at illegal dumping sites, and on bridges. This, at the end of the day, compromises the quality of water.

4.      Indigenous knowledge revival

We as MPWC believe that it is best to base and premise our approach to water and environmental conservation against the way our ancestors did, the indigenous traditional way. Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are the way of life our ancestors lived. It is the most sustainable way of doing things since our ancestors did that for thousands of years without causing extreme levels of environmental destruction.

5.      Celebrate environmental calendar events.

We agreed as MPWC to celebrate the environmental calendar that speaks to our work.

6.      Land restoration

We would like, in our communities to adopt a river and introduce trees that are necessary for a river to flow. To do clearing of alien, high water usage plants in our rivers to improve the quality.

• CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD

The meeting closed noting that Nkomazi WC stated:

• We support to the establishment of secured home gardens with rainwater harvesting tools.
• Home gardeners should only use traditional and natural methods of fertilising their soil.
• To engage local municipalities about the management of illegal waste.
• To engage with Human Rights Commission where our rights are infringed, like the right to access water during water shortages.

On Saturday 18 February 2023, eco-club school learners, farmers, community members and water activists in Mfuleni and Makhaza led a mass clean-up of parts of the Kuils River Catchment Area to highlight the deterioration of local waterways, wetlands, and green areas – highlighting the severe environmental health impacts it has on the surrounding communities, land and animals.[1]  The schools that joined the clean-up included Fairdale 1 and 2 High Schools, Manzomthombo Senior Secondary School, Bardale High School and Mfuleni Technical Academy.

With the support of Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) and 11th[2]  Hour Racing Team – the American offshore sailing team competing in The Ocean Race – the communities in Mfuleni and Makhaza aim to demonstrate their willingness and ability to work with government and partners to sustain clean and safe green spaces, rivers, wetlands and farming areas.

According to EMG’s Siya Myeza, “Our school learners and their educators are negatively affected by the degradation of their local green spaces. The waste and litter around the school is unpleasant, it creates air pollution and can contribute to ill health. It is here, in places like Mfuleni and Makhaza, where you can see clearly that South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world, because you see a lack of basic services impeding on your constitutional right to environmental health. The inequality in terms of environmental health, access to clean and safe water and sanitation housing, water and waste management services is hard to ignore.”

Community cleaning crews selected the clean-up locations closest to them: the wetlands opposite Bardale High in Makhaza, Burundi in Mfuleni and the Khayelitsha Wetlands Park – a once thriving green hub for the community.

He says, “South Africa is also a hotspot for climate change, which will only increase inequality, as access to water and healthy food becomes more limited. And it will be communities like Mfuleni and Makhaza who will feel the impacts of global climate change the most. As temperatures rise and droughts become more frequent, how will these communities be able to cope with the water shortages? Ecosystems need to be strong and resilient to adapt to the extreme weather events associated with climate change. This is why it is critical that we maintain and protect our current water sources. And while illegal dumping is an issue that is further compounded by industrial pollution, the severe lack of services in these areas from the City of Cape Town, is also problematic.”

Grade 10 pupil at Fairdale 1 High School Ntuthuko Phahlindlela says, “The dirt and rubbish in our rivers limit how we as children play around and in it because it is not safe for us because of the germs that could cause us to fall sick. I think it is important for us, as young people, to participate in such activities as they help educate us about the ways in which we can create natural, environmentally friendly products on top of giving us an opportunity to do good in our communities, for a cleaner environment.”

EMG project manager Apiwe Mdunyelwa works with the local eco-clubs. She says, “We need improved water governance that is participatory and willing to develop localised solutions, based on indigenous knowledge systems and local research. We need to get the Kuils River Catchment Management Forum going were communities and government work together. The water should be tested regularly to ensure cleanliness and that the diversity of ecosystems is maintained.”

After the site clean-ups, the communities gathered for an event at the Khayelitsha Wetlands Park. Local ward councillor Lucky Mbiza and Mayoral Committee member Siseko Mbandezi were there and appealed to the community to assist efforts to stop illegal dumping.

Mpumi Mhlalisi of the Western Cape Water Caucus says, “Events like this clean-up, is clear evidence that our communities are full of people who care about environmental health, and protecting green areas and water bodies, from school youth, water activists, farmers, traditional and religious practitioners, and even sportspeople. It is great to see the young people take action to address the problems that affect their wellbeing and that of their communities. The local government seem to be uninformed and lack knowledge about the conditions that communities live in, especially in informal settlements. There are no sanitation and solid waste management services – the infrastructure and services do not exist for communities to manage their waste. This is why we find so much illegal dumping. Communities cannot do this alone. We need the support of our local government. Not only do we need improved waste and sanitation services, and improved infrastructure but we also need education strategies which to reduce illegal dumping and improve environmental health.”

Ntombikayise Dondi from the urban farmer collective Igalelo Labafazi in Makhaza Khayelitsha was at the gathering, selling some of her organic crops that she produces at her plot next to Sinako High School, and engaging with the community about her farm and healthy food. She says, “Local government must take care of all of us because, as they say “The City works for you”, it should also include those who are poor. When we report about the drain and toilet blockages or that our drinking water becomes brownish, and when the water management devices cut off our supply. It is hard to know where to go and to get assistance from the City when our calls go unanswered because we do our part by reporting what is happening.”

Dondi adds, “In December last year I stayed in Sea Point, and I was shocked to see solid waste trucks collecting waste twice a day in one road! Here in Makhaza we are lucky if see that truck once every 2 weeks, by which time everyone’s bins are already overflowing. The City must improve its services to our communities. We also need improved maintenance of old water infrastructure – maybe we need new pipes, by now?”

As a farmer she says her biggest challenge is securing access to land with a tenure agreement that will allow the farming production to thrive. She says, “To be able to continue growing nutritious organic food that is fairly priced and accessible to my communities, local government must assist us with water access and security, because I cannot use municipal water to grow the food crops. The Department of Agriculture has assisted us with well points, but this water infrastructure has also not been maintained.”

11th Hour Racing Team is supporting EMG through its legacy grantee program, with funds to support EMG’s initiative for communities near and around the Kuils River catchment area, focusing on water access and quality, and service delivery and management. Damian Foxall, 11th Hour Racing Team’s Sustainability Program Manager was onsite with six other members of the professional sailing team to join in the river clean-up and learn more about the work being done in the local community. “

The initiatives taking place here are really impactful examples of the importance of local solutions and practical action for positive ocean health and climate change mitigation that will impact everyone around the world. What is clearly demonstrated here is that it does not matter how near or far you live from the ocean, the health of our water, rivers, soil, and land is vital for the health of everyone in the community,” he concluded.

Vuyo Myoli, a farmer producing honey in Gugulethu says, “I like that our parks and waterways are being cleaned because our bees need clean water to be able to do their job, to pollinate our plants. As an urban beekeeper, clean and flourishing green spaces are important for our bees and in the production of honey. It was very encouraging to see all the people who came out to clean up the wetland and I feel positive that we are working our way to a cleaner environment. This was also a good opportunity to educate our youngsters about the importance of bees to our survival, and to give them a taste of our delicious, organic blue gum and other honey.”

Transparency and accountability are necessary values for social movement building, especially in the expansive network of various community organisations and stakeholders that SAWC consists of. SAWC uses democratic practices and decision-making processes that govern and protect members’ representation and respective interests.

Democracy in action: SAWC has active members from eight provinces, with each province being represented by two elected coordinating members, from either a community organisation or a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The highest decision-making platform of SAWC is the BGM where all coordinating committee (CC) members meet and discuss arising SAWC matters for the upcoming two years. The BGM also functions as a performance review of the network’s resolutions, a space for strategic campaign planning, and as an electorate for the National Coordinator and administrative team.

Programme and representation: On October 26, we arrived in Polokwane in Limpopo Province, with groups of comrades coming from eight of nine South African provinces. On the following morning, we opened the meeting at 9 am, with comrade Sandile Nombeni, national coordinator from Gauteng Water Caucus (GPWC) guiding us through the agenda for the next few days.

 The BGM consisted of delegates elected by their provincial water caucuses, funders from 350.org Africa and South African Climate Action Network (SACAN), and SAWC administrative representatives from Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) and Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA). The room also was relatively gender-balanced, with 60% men and 40% women. To ensure a diverse set of stakeholder engagement, SAWC arranged a meeting with Dr. Gabriel Lekalakala from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

The SAWC Constitution: In 2017, SAWC resolved to restructure itself and reconstitute who was holding space at the national level. Both academics and activists agreed that SAWC should represent more community-based organisations, and be constituted by community members with lived experiences of water stress. Today in 2022, SAWC has successfully transformed into a movement led by community activists, whose interconnected networks of resources transcend provinces and decades of environmental knowledge, production empowers members. An important transition from 2017 has been through capacity building of SAWC members, which has enabled SAWC to be an independent movement.

Sustainable funding: SAWC should be able to do its work in all provinces without being reliant on member organisations only for sustainability. Funding for provincial activities was one of the main emphases of our time in Polokwane. Therefore, it has been essential to capacitate the provinces to be able to find funding opportunities in their networks and regions. Faeza Meyer, CC member from the Western Cape Water Caucus, gave input on the many forms of resources provinces can find and use, that are not strictly financial funds. For example, provinces can use churches, other NGOs, public spaces, etc., as resources for spaces to hold workshops. It became clear that the network structure of SAWC has been constructive for passing resources through the network, as provinces are facing similar issues and challenges. Knowledge sharing remains essential to the efficiency of SAWC.

Role of SAWC Secretariat: In order to have a fully-informed conversation on the role of Secretariat, comrade Samson Mokoena of VEJA explained the history of the role, and how it shifted to EMG in 2017 due to financial constraints. It was noted that there was never any official documentation of what the Secretariat’s role was but the responsibilities were nonetheless taken on, without specific guidelines. In 2020, the Secretariat role shifted to VEJA, but due to recent financial issues since 2020 (War in Ukraine and COVID-19), EMG has played a joint Secretariat role in supporting VEJA and SAWC activities. Therefore, this vote on Secretariat in 2022 was to officially confirm this joint role between EMG + VEJA, and to see how this coordination should be formalised, and how responsibilities should be outlined. VEJA agreed to remain in the Secretariat role until SAWC is able to function independently from any organisation.

Way forward: In conclusion the SAWC BGM collectively agreed that EMG and VEJA resolve to be Joint Secretariat for the following 28 months’ term, until February 2025 (SAWC Constitution 7.2). The CC from all eight provinces was nominated and approved for the term, with support from secretariat organisations.

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?

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.