Sharing rivers beyond fences and boundaries

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Written By Mbali Mashele

A collaborative seminar, organised by the University of Mpumalanga, Université Paris Nanterre and IFAS-Research was held on the 12th of November 2019 at the University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit. The seminar: Sharing rivers beyond fences and boundaries was attended by 13 stakeholders from the University of Mpumalanga, Inkomati Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA), Kruger National Park (KNP), WWF Sabie River Water Stewardship Project, Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region and Sembcorp Silulumanzi. The purpose of the seminar was to discuss the ‘current stages and transformation in rivers management approaches that aim to widen the scales and enable connectivity of rivers socio-ecological territories’.  The speakers focused on examples of regulation (IUCMA), management (KNP), assessment (UMP) and research (Université Paris Nanterre) of transboundary basins and rivers in Africa and particularly on the Lowveld rivers.

Rivers provide various ecological, socio-cultural, economic services and opportunities. Recognizing that the socio-ecological system of rivers is dynamic; adaptive, sustainable approach/es need to be utilized to inclusively solve water resource use, river access, protection, and management issues. Appropriate evidence-based adaptive management responses aim to provide the allowance for collaborative actions and governance which puts into account the geopolitics of rivers, and dynamics surrounding the water users.  Amongst the questions that arose were how to unlock and share benefits of the rivers and resources and at which scale?  Secondly, how to build a sense of belonging, a connection to rivers especially in South Africa where forced removals were designed to deprive access to water spaces: fertile lands and natural resources. Lastly, how to assess the benefits and the impacts of developments, projects, and to incorporate social aspects.

The seminar, first of its kind in the region, aims to share interventions whilst stimulating a discourse for inclusive governance, transformation, innovation, and collaboration. As rivers know no boundaries, nor fences, they must be well managed for the equitable beneficiation for all ecosystems and humans.

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