The Government of the Republic of South Africa in conjunction with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini concluded public consultations which were aimed at soliciting inputs from sector stakeholders in both countries, to review of a Treaty on the Development and Utilisation of Water Resources of the Komati River Basin.
The first public consultation took place on 02 March 2023 in Malelane, Mpumalanga and the second was held in the Kingdom of Eswatini on Thursday, 09 March 2023 at Piggs' Peak Hotel.
The Treaty is being reviewed through the Joint Water Commission (JWC) between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Eswatini in order to broaden the scope of work of the Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA) and thus enable the Authority to complement and enhance efforts towards the provision of water management related services by the two countries.
KOBWA is an international organisation formed by RSA and Eswatini to manage operations and maintenance of the Driekoppies and Maguga Dams in both countries respectively.
The organisation has been responsible for designing, constructing, operating and maintaining the Maguga and Driekoppies dams, as well as associated infrastructure, which were constructed mainly to provide assurance of water supply for irrigation purposes in both member states.
Addressing delegates and stakeholders who attended the public consultations, Duduzile Mthembu, a Chief Director within the Department of Water and Sanitation responsible for
International Water and Sanitation Corporation, called for concerted collaborations to foster transboundary relations.
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"The Komati River Basin Treaty was signed in 1992 with a focus on design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Maguga Dam, in eSwatini and the Driekoppies Dam in Schoemansdal, South Africa," Mthembu said.
"It is through the Treaty that we have seen the successful completion of the construction of the two dams. We now have to consider other avenues to look into broadening the scope of the Treaty and thus ensure water security in both countries," she added.
Adding to Mthembu's sentiments, KOBWA Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Shongwe stated that the effects of Climate Change often resulting in drought and severe flooding, require innovative thinking and adaptation measures bolster the sector.
"We have seen how floods have wrecked people's livelihoods and the damage caused to the environment. The review of this Treaty should enable all of us to proactively curb or prevent the dire effects of Climate Change.
Stakeholders who attended the public consultations in the two countries included small-scale farmers, irrigation boards as well as catchment agencies, amongst others.
The Treaty under review can be found on the KOBWA website at www.kobwa.co.za and inputs can be sent through email on treatyreview@kobwa.co.za until 31 March 2023.
