Water is the world’s most critical resource, sustaining life while enabling economic and social development. The necessity of water for human development is highlighted by the copious amounts of water used on a daily basis in agricultural practices and in order to manufacture consumables, process and extract minerals, generate power, as well as process food and beverages. However, many countries now face challenges of growing water demands as a result of not only increased economic growth but also population increases (Mukheibir and Sparks, 2003). Growing pressure on water resources from the human population and economic development has major impacts on social, economic, and environmental water conservation and demand (Walter et al., 2011).
…show more content…
Reform, however, must begin at national and provincial level institutions to be effectively carried through all fractions of water governance. Poor governance is recognised as one of the causes of the current water crisis. This is underlined by Siebrits et al. (2014) whose research identified priority questions for key themes in South Africa. Using an integrated and strategic adaptive management approach Siebrits et al. (2014) presented eleven topical questions for the key theme “governance”. Although these questions build a platform for further research, issues such as mismanagement highlight a hydropolitical agenda in water resource governance (Jankielsohn, 2012; Meissner, 2014). It is important to also note that within the social, political and economic context, high importance is placed on water as an economic …show more content…
Despite the uncertainty of a decentralised system, it is widely accepted to ensure better governance and performance (Stanton, 2009). From a centralised system to a decentralised system, South Africa’s areas of concern include possible dimensions of political, administrative and financial sectors. This thesis focuses on one of the water governance initiatives, known as “co-governance” which focuses on collaborations between institutions through participation and knowledge sharing. It is yet to be determined if partnership management is creating effective co-governance that is functioning sustainably and within legislative policies. The idea of co-governance, however, is mostly applied by the policy maker in collaboration with stakeholders. For the purpose of this research institutions are defined as systems of rights, rules and decision-making procedures. Policy making power has subsequently been distributed to mandated institutions, where financial, political and administrative challenges are noted (Stanton,
Reform, however, must begin at national and provincial level institutions to be effectively carried through all fractions of water governance. Poor governance is recognised as one of the causes of the current water crisis. This is underlined by Siebrits et al. (2014) whose research identified priority questions for key themes in South Africa. Using an integrated and strategic adaptive management approach Siebrits et al. (2014) presented eleven topical questions for the key theme “governance”. Although these questions build a platform for further research, issues such as mismanagement highlight a hydropolitical agenda in water resource governance (Jankielsohn, 2012; Meissner, 2014). It is important to also note that within the social, political and economic context, high importance is placed on water as an economic …show more content…
Despite the uncertainty of a decentralised system, it is widely accepted to ensure better governance and performance (Stanton, 2009). From a centralised system to a decentralised system, South Africa’s areas of concern include possible dimensions of political, administrative and financial sectors. This thesis focuses on one of the water governance initiatives, known as “co-governance” which focuses on collaborations between institutions through participation and knowledge sharing. It is yet to be determined if partnership management is creating effective co-governance that is functioning sustainably and within legislative policies. The idea of co-governance, however, is mostly applied by the policy maker in collaboration with stakeholders. For the purpose of this research institutions are defined as systems of rights, rules and decision-making procedures. Policy making power has subsequently been distributed to mandated institutions, where financial, political and administrative challenges are noted (Stanton,