South Africa and the Netherlands signed a new agreement on Thursday to expand their collaboration on water management, marking the start of a four-year partnership aimed at strengthening the country’s water resources.
The Declaration of Intent, signed in Cape Town, will guide Phase 3 of the Blue Deal partnership from 2027 to 2030. The agreement brings together the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Dutch Water Authorities (Unie van Waterschappen) to build on work already done in the previous phase.
Water and Sanitation Director-General Dr Sean Phillips and Dutch Water Authorities President Jeroen Haan signed the document, committing both countries to continue supporting sustainable water resource management in South Africa.
Building on proven results
The partnership has already delivered tangible results in communities across South Africa. Previous phases supported river clean-ups, citizen science projects and youth-led environmental action at sites including the Klipdrift River, Palmiet River and Industrial Road Stream in Grabouw.
One standout achievement has been the creation of Sisterhood in Water, a South African platform that promotes women’s leadership in the water sector. Developed with the World Water Academy, the platform offers digital mentorship and professional development opportunities for women working in water management.
Projects in Theewaterskloof, Vredefort Dome, Blesbokspruit and the Msunduzi–uMngeni catchment area will continue into Phase 3, providing practical examples for improving water management and quality.
What Phase 3 will focus on
The new phase aims to strengthen Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) through targeted support that improves how these organisations operate and manage water resources.
Phillips said the focus was on consolidating work packages for Phase 3 and establishing a solid foundation for the Multi-Annual Plan that will guide implementation over the next four years.
“In South Africa, the Blue Deal supports national water-sector priorities, including the National Water Action Plan,” Phillips said.
He added that partnerships developed during the first two phases between municipalities, communities and other stakeholders provide an important foundation for Phase 3.
Four key priorities
Each CMA will set objectives suited to its specific needs, but the partnership will focus on four interconnected priorities.
These include financial and organisational viability with sound governance, catchment management strategies that guide planning and action, data and monitoring systems to support evidence-based decisions, and stakeholder collaboration across institutions, municipalities, water users and communities.
Building local capacity
Phillips said the partnership aims to embed skills, knowledge and systems within South African institutions to support sustainable improvements in water-resource management.
“Through Phases 1 and 2, our local projects have developed excellent partnerships, practical experience and valuable shared learning. These relationships and lessons provide an important foundation for Phase 3,” he said.
The Steering Committee endorsed the programme’s Phase 3 strategic direction, setting the stage for Thursday’s signing.
CMAs will play a key role in guiding the transition of local initiatives in collaboration with their partners, with the ultimate goal of promoting local ownership for more effective and sustainable water management.
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