Water Stewardship in Action: Learning Exchange Between UWASP and LuWSI in uMhlathuze

uMhlathuze, KwaZulu-Natal — In a region facing increasing water insecurity, a three-day learning exchange between the uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (UWASP) and the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuSWI) highlighted how collaboration, good governance and community-led action lie at the heart of building long-term water resilience.

Co-hosted, by the UWASP Partners and the GIZ Natural Resources Stewardship Programme II (NatuReS II), the exchange convened stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia, civil society, water utilities and local communities. Held in the City of uMhlathuze — a strategic port city and vital industrial hub - the gathering centred around a shared purpose: safeguarding water for people, ecosystems and economic development.

Liteboho Makhele, Component Manager of NatuReS II in South Africa, opened the exchange by welcoming all partners and outlining the intention behind the gathering. She expressed gratitude to the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) for hosting the workshop and shared the vision that would guide the three-day exchange:

“Over the next three days, we will listen, learn, walk together, and strengthen our shared mission of building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable catchment partnerships. Today we focus on governance, institutional sustainability and practical peer learning between the UWASP and LuWSI partnerships. Tomorrow, we deepen the dialogue through innovation and tools. And on Day 3, we take these lessons into the field to witness stewardship in action.”

Her remarks set the tone for an exchange grounded in collective responsibility and shared learning, a sentiment echoed by local partners throughout the day.

“It is our responsibility to look after water resources and ensure that all users — communities and industries alike — have equitable access,” reflected Brenda Strachan, Manager for Spatial and Environmental Planning in the City of uMhlathuze, highlighting the underlying purpose of the exchange - “This is about partnerships for a better future.”

In his keynote address, Acting Deputy City Manager Mthokozisi Mhlongo reiterated that water security sits at the centre of sustainable development, noting that,

“Water affects everything — our cities, our economy, our environment and our future. Shared solutions are essential for the benefit of all communities.”

With Richards Bay port contributing close to 60% of South Africa’s exports, the reliability of water in uMhlathuze is inseparable from national economic stability. However, growing pressures from industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, invasive species, wastewater treatment failures and aging infrastructure have underscored the urgency of water stewardship efforts in the region.

The UWASP Journey
Dr. Reuben Thifhulufhelwi (WWF–South Africa) outlined the UWASP journey tracing the evolution of UWASP following the 2016 drought, when dam levels dropped to just 16%, bringing economic activity in the region to the brink of collapse. What followed was an unprecedented collective response that brought upstream and downstream users together in a shared decision-making space.

“There is no alternative to water. Managing it better was no longer optional — it became a necessity,” Dr. Thifhulufhelwi noted.

Today, UWASP is anchored by an evolving secretariat and steering committee with a shared long-term vision for strengthening governance, improving data systems, and enabling more coordinated infrastructure planning that reflects the realities of a stressed catchment.

Providing a municipal perspective, Thembekile Sithole (Operations Manager: Water and Sanitation, City of uMhlathuze) gave an overview of the City’s water supply and wastewater management system, highlighting key infrastructure, current operational realities, and ongoing initiatives to strengthen service delivery and long-term resilience.

Turning to Zambia, the Zambian delegation delivered a dynamic walk-abut presentation showcasing the evolution of the LuWSI partnership. Founded in 2016 through a Memorandum of Understanding. LuWSI has grown into a multisectoral platform bringing together more than 40 partners across government, private sector, civil society and academia. With strong political buy-in, the initiative has expanded its reach and impact – now guided by a 13-member Steering Board, supported by active partnerships with universities, robust private sector engagement and school-based environmental education programmes.

“Collaboration gave each partner the opportunity to perform better than it could alone,” said David Mwamba, Senior Technical Advisor from GIZ NatuReS Zambia, reflecting on the initiative’s resilience despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting donor landscapes.

Today, LuWSI stands as a legally-recognised coordination body and an amplifier of collective water security action. The LuWSI delegation, alongside representatives from key Zambian stakeholders, shared valuable lessons and unpacked the realities of establishing such a partnership.

A recurring theme throughout the exchange was the role of communities as active custodians of water systems.

“When communities are empowered with skills, tools and knowledge, they move from being recipients to becoming protectors of natural resources,” participants echoed.

Luci Coelho of Real Consulting, and an IYBA SEED South Africa Weaver, led a dynamic panel discussion with LuWSI and UWASP partners, exploring the role of advocacy in driving water stewardship and how industry can be more effectively engaged for long-term commitment.

Sanele Vilakazi from uMngeni-uThukela Water highlighted the Amanzi Champions programme, an initiative that equips young people to become citizen scientists by collecting and sharing vital water data.

A visit to Amandosi Primary School in Esikhaleni, illustrated community-led adaptation in action. Supported by the GIZ Cities Adapt project, the school is demonstrating how communities can be engaged in co-creating solutions — from rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation to heat-resistant roofs and food gardens — showing how education, water management, climate adaptation and food security can intersect.

One of the highlights of the Learning Exchange was the launch of the FlowTracker Phase 2, a real-time mobile monitoring application designed to strengthen catchment water management by integrating real-time monitoring tools with stakeholder-driven decision-making. Participants also explored advanced monitoring technologies such as GLOFAS and Digital Earth Africa, which provide real-time insights into flood risks, dam levels and historical water surface changes.

“Data is power in decision-making,” said Hugo Retief. “The more reliable the data, the stronger and faster the response.” Live demonstrations by Dr Jai Clifford-Holmes and Hugo Retief from AWARD, showcased how these tools support evidence-based action and collaborative planning.

The delegation also visited key water sites in the area including Lake Mzingazi, Lake Cubu and the uMhlathuze Weir and Pumpstation, gaining firsthand insights into local water systems and ongoing interventions.
 

As the learning exchange drew to a close, participants voiced a collective commitment to:

• Strengthen partnerships
• Prioritise community education and participation
• Invest in sustainable infrastructure
• Support data-driven decision-making
• Elevate water stewardship as a shared responsibility.

As one participant summed it up succinctly:
“Partnerships are not linear. They require patience, trust, learning — and action.”

This learning exchange reaffirmed that when diverse stakeholders unite around transparency, collaboration and a shared vision, water becomes more than a resource — it becomes a catalyst for transformation.
 

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