UKZN academics - Ms Catherine Sutherland of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, Dr Sabine Stuart-Hill of the School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Science and Mr Duncan Hay of  the Institute of National Resources (INR) - recently conducted a workshop at the INR that focused on water governance research in the uMngeni River Basin.

The workshop aimed to establish a common identity under the banner of the uMngeni School of Water Governance Research linked to the uMngeni Ecological Infrastructure Partnership. ‘Creation of knowledge is an ongoing interaction between all stakeholders and we were able to identify a broad range of potential research partners and key stakeholders,’ said Hay. ‘These ranged from civil society, through NGOs and the private sector to various spheres of government.’

Said Sutherland: ‘The workshop was a great success and left participants enthused and with plenty of ideas and tasks. Researchers were able to get to know each other on a personal and professional level. Of particular interest was that at least seven participants were engaged in doctoral research.

‘The range of interests was considerable and was not confined to research. It included direct support for management efforts, capacity development of key stakeholders such as municipal officials and traditional leaders, and a large body of research attempting to unpack the river basin as a social-ecological system.’

The researchers believe that the source of many of the problems does not lie in social, economic and administrative systems that influence water resource planning, use failures of natural or engineered systems; rather it resides in failures of governance – both political, and managerial.

Stuart-Hill added, ‘While our individual and collective understanding of these issues under the umbrella of water resource governance is growing and good knowledge is being generated, there is very little to indicate that this knowledge is reaching and influencing the intended users.

‘Also, there is a need to fundamentally increase social sciences and others to engage with the issues.’

The researchers are currently conducting more research in this area and hope to provide solutions soon.