The theme for World Wetland Day 2009, We all live downstream, draws attention to the need for good management of river systems to ensure that all users of the water resource can continue to benefit from the goods and services that they provide.   

Within a catchment, most water resources are connected in some way, and are therefore influenced by each other to some degree.  Activities in one part of a river system can affect downstream ecology and water users.  And often, downstream degradation can have a profound effect upstream through disrupting ecological processes or even affecting rainfall patterns.  

Internationally, it is recognised that it is most effective to manage water resources at a decentralised catchment level through Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM).  

In South Africa, water is a public resource that is the responsibility of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF).  19 Water Management Areas (WMA’s) have been created, and each will be managed by a Catchment Management Agency (CMA), which are statutory bodies established under the National Water Act. Each CMA includes representation from all stakeholders in the catchment, including government, civil society, communities, agricultural water users and industries, all of which influence decisions and management of the catchment.  Once the CMA has developed a Catchment Management Strategy (CMS), it will be given the power to licence water use.  

The Inkomati CMA (ICMA) was the first to be established, and is expected to produce the country’s first CMS in 2009.  This is being developed in close cooperation with DWAF and all stakeholders in the catchment.  The theme for  World Wetlands Day 2009 is catchment management, and therefore the national celebration will focus on achievements and challenges with regards to water resource management in the Inkomati catchment.

The Sabie, Crocodile and Komati rivers are the three main rivers in the catchment.  .  The system supports a strong agricultural sector, mainly water-intensive subtropical crops such as sugarcane, bananas and citrus.  It also supports a number of industries, including a large paper mill, and a number of mines, and has been identified as important for growth of the timber forestry industry.  Many rural communities depend on the water resources for livelihoods benefits and daily use, and the catchment is also of key importance to Kruger National Park, with the Crocodile River forming one of its boundaries and a tributary of the Sabie flowing through the Park.   Swaziland and Mocambique are both downstream users of rivers flowing through the Inkomati catchment, which means that water management in our country will also affect our neighbour.

World Wetlands Day is held every year on the 2nd of February, offering an opportunity for South Africans to be part of a global celebration of wetlands and their value for biodiversity and human well-being.  In South Africa dozens of events are organised around the country, and one main national event involving key government departments and partners is held at a wetland where the year’s theme can be well illustrated.