Growing reality of the pre-1994 policy context Surface and ground- water stress, over- allocation and pollution Economic Development - Irrigated agriculture - Mining and Energy - Forestry - Gauteng Dam building and inter- basin transfers Hydraulic Mission Highly uneven distribution of benefits

Whole catchment approach to water security Water for sustainable growth and development Empowerment of poor communities and water & sanitation for all Effective governance based on stakeholder ownership and devolution of relevant powers and functions – CMAs, WUAs Vision of the National Water Act

National Water Policy (1997) - ambitious water legislation Equitable access to water National Water Resources Strategy (2004) - Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach: Sustainable use of water Efficient and effective use of water freshwater understood as a complex ecological system water system interacts with land use, waste disposal and air quality systems must be managed in the context of social and economic development important role in addressing poverty, race & gender issues co-operative planning and management of water resources is key Via this: post-1994 policy context:

How to spot a wicked policy/implementation issue Many natural resource management situations (such as IWRM) are typical of what have been termed wicked policy problems, that is, problems that: have many interdependencies and are often multi-causal; have no obvious solutions; are socially complex; hardly ever sit conveniently within the responsibility of any one organisation or department; involve changing behaviour; may appear to be intractable