2. Status Report on Water User Associations in South Africa Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs 24 April 2013

3. Legislative Mandate  Water User Associations (WUAs) are established in terms of section 92 (1)(a) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998)  Irrigation boards (IB) operate in terms of the Water Act,1956  Transformation of irrigation boards (IB) into WUAs is a statutory requirement in terms of section 98 of the NWA (Act 36 of 98)  Due date of transformation of IB to WUA was 6 months after promulgation of the NWA. The transformation due date was extended for another year

4. Role of WUAs  Water User Associations are Water Management Institutions which manage and regulate water at a localised level.  The scale at which they operate, their roles and functions and their use, management and ownership of infrastructure varies considerably around the country Delegated powers and duties & Implementing agent IWRM & Transformation Pooled Resources for mutual and public benefit  This influences the way we relate to and oversee these institutions

5. Current Institutional Arrangements DWA Minister WRC TCTA Water Boards (12) WSAs CMAs (2) WUAs (79) *: Orasecom, Limcom, Incomaputo committees, KOBWA; WSPs International bodies* Stakeholders Lines of reporting through the DG to the Minister Irrigation Boards (129) Minister has many entities reporting to her-challenge to manage – suggest change.

6. Progress to date PROGRESS TO DATE About 129 Irrigation Board Still Existing 10 from GWS about42 Transformed Irrigation Board About 279 Irrigation board existed 1998 40 new 92 WUAs 2013 1998 1 st WUA established 2000

7. ProvinceInitial number of Irrigation Boards Number of WUA established from IB Newly established/ HDIs Number Irrigation Boards to be transformed KwaZulu-Natal289119 Mpumalanga441826 Eastern Cape33319 Western Cape11330829 Northern Cape226420 Limpopo7371 North West2000 Gauteng4004 Free State872 1 TOTALS2795931129

8. Routes to Establish WUAs Irrigation Board WUA Transformation Water users WUA Establishment WUA Govt Water Scheme Establishment Transfer LG Water Boards

9. CHALLENGES Water and land reform Appropriate institutional approach to GWS (staff transfer) Resolve asset and liabilities

10. Future Thinking  Revise DWA strategy around WUA to accelerate process  Linked to fast-tracking of Water Allocation Reform  Joint process of agrarian reform will be championed by key sector Departments of Water Affairs, Land Affairs and Rural Development, and Agriculture Food and Fisheries  Secure financial requirements for the medium term to enable effective support to emerging WUAs  Amendment of NWA to provide stricter institutional Framework for WUA  Closer engagement and partnership with the South African Federation of Water User Associations (SAFWUA)

11. The broader transformation of local economies and community development will be championed through the implementation of a transformation scorecard Develop criteria for representation on management committee All irrigation boards will be transformed using the revised criteria on management committee and the transformation scorecard within a year An accelerated programme of structured support for emerging and new WUAs will be put in place together with sector partners such as other departments, provinces, CMAs, SALGA and SAFWUA Future Thinking

12. Thank you