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2013 - United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation

In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation. As such, the 2013 World Water Day that is celebrated on 22 March 2012 will be dedicated to water cooperation.

John Ratambo, Project Manager, Free State Province

In the Free State province naturally available water were fully utilised more than three decades ago, hence additional supply is dependent on inter-basin transfers form neighbouring water resources including the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as well as form other water management areas.

South Africa is one of a few countries worldwide that guarantees the right of access to water. While considerable advances have been made in providing access to water through pipes, taps ore boreholes, many South Africans still do not have access to water in their home and relies on communal water points.

While grey water re-use is common practice in rural South Africa, urban South Africa are still debating the merits of water quality, public health, considering socio-economic factors, community perceptions and hydro-geologic conditions.

Gondai Matanga, Regional Director, Limpopo Province

Maize is of particular importance in South Africa, because it is a staple crop. Maize agriculture accordingly plays a pivotal role in food security, constituting of about 70% of grain production in South Africa. It is estimated that 60% of the population directly depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Against this backdrop, it is forecast that the mean rainfall over the next 50 years, will decrease by as much as 5-10% (Durand 2006).

1. Always wash hand before food preparation.

2. In the even of illness in the family, sanitise all food preparation equipments, including dishes, surfaces and utensils using a very mild bleach solution (1 teaspoon for every 5 cups of water).

The focus on direct employment creation instead of mere income generation for the poor; is a significant change in the approach of government in addressing the unemployment crises faced by South Africa. This is the approach that the Community Works Programme uses in providing an employment and economic safety net.

Lesego Loate, Policy Specialist, The Mvula Trust

The Strydkraal and Apel villages in the Fetakgomo Local Municipality which is part of the Sekhukhune District Municipality in Limpopo Province was the subject of a study undertaken by The Mvula Trust in order to explore multiple water use strategies or rural women in two different rural villages.

Jonathan Timm, Manager of Special Projects, The Mvula Trust

A number of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) funds are targeting rural water projects as a way to make an impact in poor communities. There is however a risk that the positive impact of these investments can be compromised by a lack of alignment with local government planning priorities and processes.

Ilse Wilson, Training Specialist and Virginia Molose, Acting Policy Unit Director, The Mvula Trust

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) was introduced to make learning a more practical and fair experience for all learners in the country. It has its origins in the labour movement of the early 1970s and in the struggle to transform the education system. This article appeared in the Mvula 2012 diary.