PROJECT BRIEFING: ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS

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

2. INTRODUCTION • 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 • CMAs are established in broader water management areas and WUAs in more localised areas • Minister delegates functions to WMIs

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

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

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

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

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

8. SCOPE • 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 • WUA operating GWS • Irrigation boards • General WUAs • Old homelands (Leblwa, Gazankulu, Venda) irrigation schemes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. TERMS OF REFERENCE Task two:  Establish WUAs • Development of a public participation plan • Facilitate public participation by embarking on the following: • Stakeholder analysis • Arrange meetings • Facilitate meetings • Explanation of the establishment concept • Record and translate the proceedings

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

21. TERMS OF REFERENCE Task two:  Establish WUAs • 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. • Build the capacity of task teams. • Transportation of HDIs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29. BUSINESS PLANING IN WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS

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

31. BUSINESS PLANNING Objectives • Institutionalise 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.

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

33. BUSINESS PLANNING Deliverables • A participatory action plan • Reports on strategic sessions with WUAs • Draft business plans • Reports on MANCO capacity gaps and recommended intervention • Business plan review sessions’ reports • Fifteen final business plans

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

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

36. CAPACITY BUILDING TO WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS MANCO

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

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

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

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

41. THANK YOU