PROJECT BRIEFING: ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT LIAISON MEETING 12 DECEMBER 2006 POLOKWANE Konanani Khorommbi

INTRODUCTION WMIs (CMAs and WUAs) are established in terms of the National Water Act WMIs (CMAs and WUAs) are established in terms of the National Water Act The main purpose is to facilitate the management of water resources at a local level The main purpose is to facilitate the management of water resources at a local level CMAs are established in broader water management areas and WUAs in more localised areas CMAs are established in broader water management areas and WUAs in more localised areas Minister delegates functions to WMIs Minister delegates functions to WMIs

INTRODUCTION WUAs are established to carry out principal and ancillary functions WUAs are established to carry out principal and ancillary functions Functions relate to water quality and quantity Functions relate to water quality and quantity Infrastructure operation management and Infrastructure operation management and Stakeholder management Stakeholder management

BACKGROUND DWAF did not succeed in the establishment of WUAsDWAF did not succeed in the establishment of WUAs Transformation of all IBs could not happen within the period of six moths as requiredTransformation of all IBs could not happen within the period of six moths as required Out of 289, less than a quarter have transformed.Out of 289, less than a quarter have transformed. This reflects a very slow pace of establishing these institutions.This reflects a very slow pace of establishing these institutions.

BACKGROUND The national transformation programme is being implemented progressively over a period of years. The national transformation programme is being implemented progressively over a period of years. Limpopo Province has established four WUAs following the Resis Programme Limpopo Province has established four WUAs following the Resis Programme Only one irrigation board (Letaba) has been transformed Only one irrigation board (Letaba) has been transformed There are two WMAs of focus (Limpopo and Letaba Luvuvhu) There are two WMAs of focus (Limpopo and Letaba Luvuvhu)

PROJECT OBJECTIVES The project aims to achieve five specific objectives as outlined hereunder: Assist water users to comply with the NWA Assist water users to comply with the NWA Fast track the transformation of irrigation boards Fast track the transformation of irrigation boards Provide support towards improving the capacity of the DWAF in the establishment of WUAs Provide support towards improving the capacity of the DWAF in the establishment of WUAs Promote the establishment sustainable WMIs Promote the establishment sustainable WMIs To contribute to equitable, efficient and sustainable water resources management To contribute to equitable, efficient and sustainable water resources management

SCOPE The project must transform all IBs The project must transform all IBs Amalgamate IBs where possible Amalgamate IBs where possible Establish new WUAs Establish new WUAs Identify needy areas Identify needy areas

SCOPE The history, nature, focus and size of WUAs will play a role in the amount of work to be done The history, nature, focus and size of WUAs will play a role in the amount of work to be done Four categories of WUAs exist Four categories of WUAs exist WUA operating GWSWUA operating GWS Irrigation boardsIrrigation boards General WUAsGeneral WUAs Old homelands (Leblwa, Gazankulu, Venda) irrigation schemesOld homelands (Leblwa, Gazankulu, Venda) irrigation schemes

SCOPE WUAs operating GWS Less effort will be expended Less effort will be expended Are involved in the transfer of water works Are involved in the transfer of water works They have DWAF employees. They have DWAF employees. Are undertaking IWRM Are undertaking IWRM

SCOPE WUAs operating GWS Have to seek inclusion of HDI to a larger extent. Have to seek inclusion of HDI to a larger extent. They handle huge budgets They handle huge budgets They have a fair amount of capacity developed over time, They have a fair amount of capacity developed over time, They understand their business to a certain level. They understand their business to a certain level.

SCOPE Irrigation boards These are the predecessors of WUAs These are the predecessors of WUAs Larger ones might employ workers Larger ones might employ workers Perform certain water resources management functions Perform certain water resources management functions Some of them have loans and handle huge budgets Some of them have loans and handle huge budgets

SCOPE Irrigation boards Represent organised users Represent organised users Have a fair amount of capacity in the business Have a fair amount of capacity in the business Face transformation (representation, inclusivity) challenges Face transformation (representation, inclusivity) challenges Less work will be done than in general WUAs Less work will be done than in general WUAs

SCOPE General WUAs Do not have a history as part of or as WMIs Do not have a history as part of or as WMIs The majority are new institutions The majority are new institutions Examples Examples Resource poor farmers’ WUAsResource poor farmers’ WUAs WUAs meant for the management of forestry/mining water usesWUAs meant for the management of forestry/mining water uses Non consumptive (recreational) use WUAsNon consumptive (recreational) use WUAs Combination of some of the categoriesCombination of some of the categories

SCOPE General WUAs Water user associations established for managing forestry/mining water might have capacity Water user associations established for managing forestry/mining water might have capacity Resource poor farmers’ and recreational WUAs are under capacitated Resource poor farmers’ and recreational WUAs are under capacitated Support to this category will vary from institution to another Support to this category will vary from institution to another

SCOPE Nine areas have been identified for potential WUAs Nine areas have been identified for potential WUAs Number and boundaries will be rationalised Number and boundaries will be rationalised Establishment must be prioritised and phased in progressively Establishment must be prioritised and phased in progressively

REQUIRED COMPETANCIES A successful service provider will be a multi-skilled one and be able to: Link policy with implementationLink policy with implementation Understand water resource management and the purpose of the National Water Act,Understand water resource management and the purpose of the National Water Act, Promote sustainable and integrated water resource management.Promote sustainable and integrated water resource management.

REQUIRED COMPETANCIES A successful service provider will be a multi-skilled one and be able to: Foster social, economic and institutional developmentFoster social, economic and institutional development Have project management, facilitation, presentation, communication and conflict resolution skillsHave project management, facilitation, presentation, communication and conflict resolution skills Redress the imbalances of the past in IWRMRedress the imbalances of the past in IWRM

TERMS OF REFERENCE Task one: Conduct situational analysis in the Limpopo and Luvuvhu/Letaba WMAs Compile a situational analysis report, Compile a situational analysis report, Assessment of the financial situation of the IBs. Assessment of the financial situation of the IBs. Provide recommendations on the area of operation for the proposed WUAs Provide recommendations on the area of operation for the proposed WUAs Provide recommendations on the possible institutional model for the proposed WUAs Provide recommendations on the possible institutional model for the proposed WUAs

TERMS OF REFERENCE Task two: Establish WUAs Task two: Establish WUAs Development of a public participation plan Development of a public participation plan Facilitate public participation by embarking on the following: Facilitate public participation by embarking on the following: Stakeholder analysisStakeholder analysis Arrange meetingsArrange meetings Facilitate meetingsFacilitate meetings Explanation of the establishment conceptExplanation of the establishment concept Record and translate the proceedingsRecord and translate the proceedings

TERMS OF REFERENCE Task two: Establish WUAs Task two: Establish WUAs Empower the historically marginaliSed groups Empower the historically marginaliSed groups Generate interest of the marginalisedGenerate interest of the marginalised Communicating the right of all citizens to water and its role in social and economic development.Communicating the right of all citizens to water and its role in social and economic development. Differentiate Water Services and IWRMDifferentiate Water Services and IWRM Outlining the benefits of establishing a WUAOutlining the benefits of establishing a WUA Promoting the participation of the HDIsPromoting the participation of the HDIs Investigation of resource poor farmers that need financial assistanceInvestigation of resource poor farmers that need financial assistance

TERMS OF REFERENCE Task two: Establish WUAs Task two: Establish WUAs Preparation of establishment proposals Preparation of establishment proposals The hiring of the venues for meetings and catering will be included in the Services to be rendered by the Professional Service provider. The hiring of the venues for meetings and catering will be included in the Services to be rendered by the Professional Service provider. Build the capacity of task teams. Build the capacity of task teams. Transportation of HDIs Transportation of HDIs

TERMS OF REFERENCE Task three: Facilitate the election of the WUA’s MANCOs Compiling voters roll Compiling voters roll Conducting voter education Conducting voter education Preparation of ballot papers Preparation of ballot papers Liaise with municipalities IEC office Liaise with municipalities IEC office Transportation of HDIs Transportation of HDIs

TERMS OF REFERENCE Task four: Development of communication Plan including Marketing of WUAs amongst water users Marketing of WUAs amongst water users Launching of WUAs Launching of WUAs Promotion of co-operative governance Promotion of co-operative governance

TERMS OF REFERENCE Task five: Provide generic project support Coordination of Project Steering Committee meetings Coordination of Project Steering Committee meetings Monthly reporting Monthly reporting Publicity of the process Publicity of the process Research and document suitable amalgamation models Research and document suitable amalgamation models Research and document suitable financial support mechanisms Research and document suitable financial support mechanisms

DELIVERABLES Situational analysis report Situational analysis report Cluster activity plans Cluster activity plans Public participation plans and reports Public participation plans and reports Communication plan Communication plan Summarised empowerment plan Summarised empowerment plan WMA maps and guideline on institutional models WMA maps and guideline on institutional models

DELIVERABLES Monthly progress reports Monthly progress reports Minutes of the PSC and stakeholder meetings Minutes of the PSC and stakeholder meetings Proposals for establishment of water user associations Proposals for establishment of water user associations Stakeholder data base Stakeholder data base Established Water User Associations Established Water User Associations

CHALLENGES Security of IB infrastructure Security of IB infrastructure Large area of operation Large area of operation Capacity gaps between commercial farmers and HDIs Capacity gaps between commercial farmers and HDIs DWAF capacity DWAF capacity Support to HDIs (financial/transportation) Support to HDIs (financial/transportation) Getting started Getting started

CHALLENGES Relationship between CMA, CMC and WUAs questioned Relationship between CMA, CMC and WUAs questioned Involvement of LG Involvement of LG Involvement of CMA Involvement of CMA Mistrust to the process Mistrust to the process Diversity issues Diversity issues

BUSINESS PLANING IN WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS

BUSINESS PLANNING Objectives Assist water user associations to comply with the Departmental policies and standards.Assist water user associations to comply with the Departmental policies and standards. Develop the capacity of WUAs in the preparation business plansDevelop the capacity of WUAs in the preparation business plans Provide support towards improving the capacity of the DWAF in monitoring of WUAsProvide support towards improving the capacity of the DWAF in monitoring of WUAs

BUSINESS PLANNING Objectives Institutionalise constant reporting by WUAs and the monitoring of their performance by the DepartmentInstitutionalise constant reporting by WUAs and the monitoring of their performance by the Department To improve management and operational practices of WUAs thus contributing to their viability and sustainability.To improve management and operational practices of WUAs thus contributing to their viability and sustainability.

BUSINESS PLANNING Tasks Support WUAs in the submission of acceptable BPs Support WUAs in the submission of acceptable BPs Build the capacity of WUAs MANCO in BP Build the capacity of WUAs MANCO in BP Development of water user associations’ business plans Development of water user associations’ business plans

BUSINESS PLANNING Deliverables A participatory action planA participatory action plan Reports on strategic sessions with WUAsReports on strategic sessions with WUAs Draft business plansDraft business plans Reports on MANCO capacity gaps and recommended interventionReports on MANCO capacity gaps and recommended intervention Business plan review sessions’ reportsBusiness plan review sessions’ reports Fifteen final business plansFifteen final business plans

BUSINESS PLANNING Progress Fifteen identified per year for three years Fifteen identified per year for three years Three in N Cape Region Three in N Cape Region Two in KZN Two in KZN One in EC & Free State respectively One in EC & Free State respectively Three identified in the L Region Three identified in the L Region

BUSINESS PLANNING Progress Regional strategic sessions Regional strategic sessions Strategic sessions with WUAs Strategic sessions with WUAs Data gathering Data gathering Situational analysis report Situational analysis report Informed project execution plan Informed project execution plan

CAPACITY BUILDING TO WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS MANCO

CAPACITY BUILDING Exchange programme with ORWUA Three WUAs visited ORWUA Three WUAs visited ORWUA Focus on getting started Focus on getting started Office establishment Office establishment Functions to be carried out Functions to be carried out Government support Government support Field visit Field visit

CAPACITY BUILDING WUA operating GWS (Nzhelele) Has certain amount of capacity Has certain amount of capacity Are involved in the transfer of water works Are involved in the transfer of water works Will take employees from the Department. Will take employees from the Department. Has a large workforce Has a large workforce

CAPACITY BUILDING WUAs operating GWS (Nzhelele) Has to address to a larger extent issues of diversity management Has to address to a larger extent issues of diversity management Handles huge budgets Handles huge budgets Has a fair amount of capacity developed over time Has a fair amount of capacity developed over time Some members understand their business to a certain level Some members understand their business to a certain level

CAPACITY BUILDING Resource poor farmers WUAs Mutshimbwe & Mutale Mutshimbwe & Mutale Do not have a history as part of or as WMIs Do not have a history as part of or as WMIs They are new institutions They are new institutions Do not have capacity Do not have capacity Do not have resources (office, finance, HR) Do not have resources (office, finance, HR) Have no systems in place Have no systems in place

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