Cape Town:South Africa and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing water management in South Africa by signing a Declaration of Intent to advance the Blue Deal partnership into its third phase.
According to South African Government News Agency, the declaration, signed in Cape Town, covers the period from 2027 to 2030 and builds on the achievements of Phase II. It sets the foundation for continued collaboration between the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Dutch Water Authorities (Unie van Waterschappen).
The declaration was signed by Water and Sanitation Director-General Dr. Sean Phillips and Dutch Water Authorities President Jeroen Haan. The signing underscores both parties' intention to work together to strengthen water management capacity and support sustainable water resource management in South Africa.
During his keynote address, Phillips emphasized the focus on consolidating the proposed work packages for Phase III and establishing a foundation for the Multi-Annual Plan that will guide the implementation from 2027 to 2030. He highlighted the importance of translating the strategic direction into practical activities and ensuring that learnings from Phase II are carried forward.
Previous phases of the partnership have included initiatives such as skills development, community-based water monitoring, and technical knowledge exchange. Achievements have been reported in areas including river clean-ups, citizen science, youth action, and biodiversity protection, particularly at the Klipdrift River, Palmiet River, and Industrial Road Stream in Grabouw.
Other notable accomplishments include an educational exhibition on the Vredefort Dome and the development of the Sisterhood in Water platform. This platform, developed with the World Water Academy, promotes women's leadership in the water sector and offers a digital mentorship network.
Local projects during Phases I and II have fostered partnerships and shared learning among municipalities and communities. These relationships will provide a foundation for Phase III, which focuses on strengthening Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) through tailored support. This includes developing catchment management strategies and strengthening information systems.
Phase III will concentrate on four priorities financial viability, catchment management strategies, data and monitoring systems, and stakeholder collaboration. Each CMA will set its objectives and projects, aiming to embed skills and systems within South African institutions for sustainable improvements in water-resource management.