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Research Interests: Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Economics, Political Science, and 3 morePolitics, Redress, and Legislation
Research Interests: Hydrogeology, Political Science, Water resources, Southern Africa, Water Resources Management, and 12 moreMultidisciplinary, Integrated Water Resources Management, South Africa, Paradigm Shift, Water resource management, Developing Economies, Development theory, Use Case, Empirical evidence, Mainstream, Water Sector, and Integrated Water Resource Management
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Throughout the world, water is becoming increasingly scarce and competition for the resource in local and international transboundary rivers is growing. The pressure on water resources is also influenced by factors such as population... more
Throughout the world, water is becoming increasingly scarce and competition for the resource in local and international transboundary rivers is growing. The pressure on water resources is also influenced by factors such as population growth and implementation of various water-dependent development initiatives; effects of seasonal and inter-annual climatic variations; water pollution and long-term patterns of global climate change that are worsening the imbalance between water supply and demand (FAO, 2010; Gleick, 1993; SIWI, 2007). Availability of water is variable in time and space, implying that some periods and geographical areas may have water in abundance while others not so far away experience scarcity (Biswas and Tortajada, 2010; de Wit and Stankiewicz, 2006). Water governance is not immune to the rapid changes that have been occurring and will continue to occur, within the water sector and in also in other sectors which are likely to affect the water sector directly or indirectly. This view resonates soundly with Falkenmark’s projection that by the year 2025, the water situation in most African states will be very bleak, with absolute water scarcity being experienced in countries such as Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Nigeria. Such negative changes will require innovative solutions (Falkenmark, 1989).
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Research Interests: Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Economics, Political Science, and 3 morePolitics, Redress, and Legislation
This paper presents the lessons learnt from one of the pilot catchment planning projects (the Mazowe project) carried out under the Zimbabwean water sector reform programme in light of the general framework that community-based natural... more
This paper presents the lessons learnt from one of the pilot catchment planning projects (the Mazowe project) carried out under the Zimbabwean water sector reform programme in light of the general framework that community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) principles provide. Its major focus is an analysis of the institutional arrangements that are emerging from a more effective water resources management regime in the country.
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Zimbabwe has implemented a water sector reform programme aimed at decentralizing water resources management to the user level. The Water Act of 1998 led to the establishment of new management institutions. Although the act does not make... more
Zimbabwe has implemented a water sector reform programme aimed at decentralizing water resources management to the user level. The Water Act of 1998 led to the establishment of new management institutions. Although the act does not make any reference to customary law, ...
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Paper presented at the Egypt-South Africa Partnership in Scientific Research Dialogue, Cairo, 24-27 November
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One of the key components essential to the productivity of small-scale farmers who secured farms through the land redistribution programme in South Africa is access to reliable sources of water for irrigation. In this study, we deployed a... more
One of the key components essential to the productivity of small-scale farmers who secured farms through the land redistribution programme in South Africa is access to reliable sources of water for irrigation. In this study, we deployed a stakeholder-oriented qualitative research methodology to understand the extent to which land reform farming schemes in Bela-Bela and Greater Sekhukhune have been able to access water and use it to enhance their agricultural production. We were keen to identify and articulate the water-related challenges and missing ingredients for successful agricultural production on the new farming schemes. The study found that access to water for irrigated agriculture is not guaranteed for most of the emerging farmers and they do not have the finance needed to invest in sustainable water supply systems for irrigation. As a result, the majority of the farmers in our study sample have not been able to realize any meaningful agricultural production, with their farm...
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This report considers whether and how different approaches to the development, management and use of water resources might contribute to regional integration in Southern Africa and concludes that water does not make an important direct... more
This report considers whether and how different approaches to the development, management and use of water resources might contribute to regional integration in Southern Africa and concludes that water does not make an important direct contribution. Its political symbolism may have an important indirect impact and should not be under-estimated. However, ‘hydro-centric’ approaches, that prioritise the protection of water resources over support to the achievement of social and economic objectives may undermine even that benefit.
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"Most countries in the Southern African Region have instituted sweeping reforms of their water and land policies as well as the corresponding institutional configurations. These reforms have mainly been prompted by a combination of... more
"Most countries in the Southern African Region have instituted sweeping reforms of their water and land policies as well as the corresponding institutional configurations. These reforms have mainly been prompted by a combination of local factors and shifts in international thinking ...
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The advent of political independence allowed most Sub-Saharan countries to determine the appropriate mix of policies and institutions that would enable them to achieve rapid socioeconomic development. But experiences across the continent... more
The advent of political independence allowed most Sub-Saharan countries to determine the appropriate mix of policies and institutions that would enable them to achieve rapid socioeconomic development. But experiences across the continent have so far yielded mixed results, and the search for an effective political economy model in the face of a rapidly globalizing world remains an ongoing challenge for most countries. In this study, we ask why some developing countries seem to be growing much faster and have much better socioeconomic performance than others. Indeed, what macroeconomic policies and institutions should Sub-Saharan countries pursue to enable more sustainable, lasting, and inclusive growth while dealing with the challenges that a rapidly changing political and economic world order present? The study’s main intention was to generate knowledge to enhance the efficacy of Africa’s political economy and development pathways by identifying alternative macroeconomic policy and ...
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Most cities in South Africa are in dire need of water security. Intervention measures to reduce the risk of water shortages now and the near future are urgently needed. This can possibly be attained through the diversification of water... more
Most cities in South Africa are in dire need of water security. Intervention measures to reduce the risk of water shortages now and the near future are urgently needed. This can possibly be attained through the diversification of water sources and the application of smart or digital technologies to reduce water wastage. Meaning that, cities which are at risk of water scarcity may consider a variety of alternative means, which includes smart technologies and efficient use of recycled water to meet the ever-increasing demand. In this study the status of water security and sanitation in two inland cities (i.e. Mbombela (Nelspruit) and Polokwane (Pietersburg)) was investigated. A gap between supply and demand for water to households was found to be large. The primary demand for water derives from households that are connected to the municipal reticulation system and used for drinking and sanitation. Water security concerns were found to be from households in need of water supply and...
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Abstract Access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services at the household level remains a good strategy to improve the health and well-being of individuals. Informal settlements, such as urban slums, are at risk of the... more
Abstract Access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services at the household level remains a good strategy to improve the health and well-being of individuals. Informal settlements, such as urban slums, are at risk of the spread of diseases due to the relative lack of access to safe, clean drinking water and basic sanitation, as well as poor hygiene. Global initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations, are aimed at transitioning households and communities from unimproved to sustained improved states of WASH services. To deepen understanding of the time dynamics between states of WASH services in the Nairobi Urban and Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS), this study employs the multi-state transition model to assess the influence of potential risk factors on these transitions. Results indicated that study sites, wealth tertile, age of household head, poverty status, the ethnicity of household head, household ownership, and food security were associated with household transitions of WASH services. There was a lower probability for households to transition from unimproved to improved toilet services than the reverse transition, but a higher chance for households to transition from unimproved to improved water and garbage services. The estimated average time that households spent in the unimproved and improved states before transitioning were, respectively, 35 months and 9 months for toilet services, 7 months and 66 months for water services, and 16 months and 19 months for garbage services. Thus, households tend to remain longer in the unimproved state of toilet and garbage services, and when in the improved states, they transition back relatively faster compared to water services. In conclusion, sanitation services in Nairobi informal settings remain largely unsatisfactory as transitions to improved services are not sustained. It is therefore important for governments, policy-makers, and stakeholders to put in place policies and interventions targeting vulnerable households for improved and sustained WASH services.
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While empowerment of the youth in Ghana could enable them to make a more meaningful contribution to the economy, a myriad of challenges faces the youth during their transition from school into the employment sector and limits the... more
While empowerment of the youth in Ghana could enable them to make a more meaningful contribution to the economy, a myriad of challenges faces the youth during their transition from school into the employment sector and limits the realisation of their full potential. As a result, the recent and significant increase in the size of the youth population in Ghana cannot justifiably be romanticised as an obvious stepping stone towards the realisation of a demographic dividend. In this study, qualitative and quantitative research methods were deployed to carry out a cross-sectional survey that enabled a detailed exploration of the main challenges and opportunities facing the youth in Ghana. Some of the options for enabling greater youth empowerment in the country were also identified. The study established that unemployment, skills limitations, lack of access to finance, and poorly coordinated institutional structures for implementing youth empowerment policies and programmes are major bar...
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Service provision backlogs in access to improved water and sanitation services remain a key barrier to the health and well-being of people living in Nairobi's slum areas. In this paper, we use quantitative data from the Nairobi Urban... more
Service provision backlogs in access to improved water and sanitation services remain a key barrier to the health and well-being of people living in Nairobi's slum areas. In this paper, we use quantitative data from the Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System to analyze the extent to which residents of Nairobi's slum areas have been able to access improved water and sanitation services from 2003 to 2015. This trend analysis reveals a slow but observable increase in access to improved sanitation facilities and garbage disposal services, while access to improved sources of water decreased. We conclude that the best scenario is the one in which all the three indicators have significantly improved during the period under consideration rather than having only some of them improving, while the others stagnate or decline. We recommend that Nairobi City Council and sector development partners refocus their attention towards increasing access to improved water and sa...
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Business Responsibility for Biodiversity Conservation in South Africa: Emerging Priorities We acknowledge and thank EXXARO for the help and support that they provided to make our research possi-ble. The Albert Luthuli Centre for... more
Business Responsibility for Biodiversity Conservation in South Africa: Emerging Priorities We acknowledge and thank EXXARO for the help and support that they provided to make our research possi-ble. The Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership hosted the research program and supported us in various ways during the research process. We thank especially the Director of the Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership, Professor Derick De Jongh for the support that he freely availed. Members of the Business and Biodi-versity Leadership Programme Advisory Panel provided invaluable inputs and insights into the workings of the biodiversity sector. We extend our gratitude particularly to the NBI, EWT, UNISA Institute for Corporate Citizenship; Department of Environment, SANBI; EXXARO; EY; and the CSIR, to mention just a few of the Panel members. We also thank all the key actors in the private sector in South Africa who willingly shared with us their experiences in trying to man...
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"A number of countries in the Southern African region have been grappling with the demanding task of reforming their water sectors. Closer analysis reveals that the changes taking place across the region are part of global water... more
"A number of countries in the Southern African region have been grappling with the demanding task of reforming their water sectors. Closer analysis reveals that the changes taking place across the region are part of global water resources management paradigm shifts aimed at ensuring self-sustainability in the water sector, equitable allocation and distribution of the resource, decentralized and participatory management; and integrated water resources management. An exploration of the nature of reforms in Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe reveals that international agencies, international events and global shifts in common property management theory are playing a big role in shaping changes that occur at national and sub-national levels. It is argued in this paper that efforts being made to reform the water sector in the Southern African region have their origin in international conventions and shifts in water resources management thinking. The rationale behind the reforms is cl...
Though the South African Mining and Biodiversity Guidelines were designed as a practical, user-friendly manual for integrating biodiversity considerations into the planning processes and managing biodiversity during the operational phases... more
Though the South African Mining and Biodiversity Guidelines were designed as a practical, user-friendly manual for integrating biodiversity considerations into the planning processes and managing biodiversity during the operational phases of a mine, from exploration through to closure, they do not specify exactly how ecosystem services can be assessed, especially with respect to economic valuation tools. The guidelines also do not indicate how the results of such assessments can be used in a meaningful way from the perspective of the mining sector and relevant stakeholders. Relying on lessons from several examples and case studies, this paper provides an overview of ecosystem services assessment approaches and tools that maybe deployed in this context. We pay special attention to making the links between nonmonetary qualitative and quantitative assessment tools that may be used to assess ecosystem status and or processes; economic valuation tools that can be used to derive informati...
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Business and government leaders from around the world are increasingly sounding the alarm about the need for effective management of business dependencies and impacts on ecosystems. As a consequence, financial institutions have recently... more
Business and government leaders from around the world are increasingly sounding the alarm about the need for effective management of business dependencies and impacts on ecosystems. As a consequence, financial institutions have recently made a formal commitment to work towards integrating natural capital considerations into their decision-making processes, including helping improve the accounting and disclosure practices of reporting organisations. Though various frameworks and standards have been developed and implemented to improve extra-financial accountability to stakeholders, current "sustainability reporting" falls short in providing the information needed for accurate investment decision-making. The recent releases of Integrated Reporting (IR) guidelines, notably by International Integrated Reporting Committee, have been presented as a significant step in the right direction by professionals and academics. This paper argues that a solid accounting foundation is required for these to be able to effectively incorporate the broader and longer-term social and environmental consequences of corporate decision-making. To support this argument, this paper first provides a brief review of Natural Capital accounting methods and main reporting practices. Based on this analysis, the paper proposes the key principles and methodological foundations for an Integrated Financial - Natural Capital Accounting and Reporting Framework which can be used to fulfil the aspirations of IR guidelines. A theoretical case study involving selected natural capital accounts (GHG emissions, wood consumption, water footprint, habitat loss) illustrates the practical implications of such a framework over three years, by notably explaining: i) the integrated financial - natural capital accounting journal entries, ii) the ensuing Integrated Financial - Natural Capital Statements of Position and Performance; and iii) how to calculate and disclose the natural capital biophysical and externality intensity of financial accounts. In doing so, this Framework provides the concrete foundation for building up a time and space distributed "catalogue" of natural capital dependency and impact information aligned with financial information recorded by companies, hence providing the integrated accounting application for other environmental accounting standards and guidelines, such as the forthcoming Natural Capital Protocol. It can hence be used to improve business decision-making, drive sustainable organisational changes and improve natural capital accountability.
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Research Interests: Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Economics, Agricultural Policy, and 15 moreAdoption, Natural Resource Management, Rainwater Harvesting, South Africa, Institutions, Developing Country, Crop Production, River Basin, Institutional Arrangement, Local Community, Ecosystem service, Food Products, Support System, Sustainability, and Drainage basin
Abstract: The introduction of water sector reforms in Zimbabwe was premised on the assumption that all stakeholders would be afforded a chance to fully contribute to the reform process. Neutral dialogue platforms were also expected to be... more
Abstract: The introduction of water sector reforms in Zimbabwe was premised on the assumption that all stakeholders would be afforded a chance to fully contribute to the reform process. Neutral dialogue platforms were also expected to be put in place in order to afford various ...
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In recent years, water governance has undergone a remarkable paradigm shift. Old notions of water resources management dominated by a supply-orientation and reliance on civil engineering science and technical solutions to water problems... more
In recent years, water governance has undergone a remarkable paradigm shift. Old notions of water resources management dominated by a supply-orientation and reliance on civil engineering science and technical solutions to water problems have been discarded in favour of a ...
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Despite its appeal and convenience, the term 'community'is a collective cliché that often masks ambiguities of membership and identity in people-centred natural resource management in southern Africa. Defining membership in... more
Despite its appeal and convenience, the term 'community'is a collective cliché that often masks ambiguities of membership and identity in people-centred natural resource management in southern Africa. Defining membership in people-centred approaches to natural resource management is easier said than done. This brief is presented as a problematic, posing more questions than it provides answers. We acknowledge that the range of perspectives presented here and the nomenclature used to describe them are by ...
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There is a paucity of knowledge regarding the nature of interactions between universities and think-tanks in Africa and how their collaboration could be promoted to enable them to contribute more effectively to the knowledge economy.... more
There is a paucity of knowledge regarding the nature of interactions between universities and think-tanks in Africa and how their collaboration could be promoted to enable them to contribute more effectively to the knowledge economy. Relying on primary and secondary data, this paper explores the interaction between universities and think-tanks in South Africa. The study found that most think-tanks, university departments and individuals in these institutions have engaged in collaborative relations of some sort and that the level and nature of their collaboration has generally been increasing over the past five years. In addition, the existence of personal relationships between individuals in these institutions usually acts as the main catalyst for long-lasting collaboration on research and policy engagement. In cases where the relationships are formalised at the institutional level, it is crucial to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the two parties. Overall, collaboration between universities and think-tanks enables utilisation of different but complementary sets of skills and resources. This leads to more robust knowledge production and policy engagement. Therefore, appropriate incentives and an enabling environment should be created to enhance both individual and institutional collaboration.