1
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
WATER USER ASSOCIATION
BACKGROUND
• The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
requires the institutions of the state to ensure that
they mainstream public participation in all
government programmes
• To influence decisions on programmes that directly
affect the public, and therefore ensure that
programmes are relevant, open, informed by public
needs, concerns and inputs.
BACKGROUND
• NWA (Act 36 of 1998) promotes equity, efficiency
and sustainability in the supply and use of water
resources
• The establishment of WMIs are means to achieve
the objectives of the Act
- To promote equal access and redressing the past racial and
gender discrimination
- The institutions should have appropriate community, racial
and gender representation
BACKGROUND
• The International Association of Public
Participation defines participation as
“a process to make better decisions that
incorporate the interests and concerns of all
affected stakeholders and meet the needs of
the decision-making body”.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
OBJECTIVES
•
To inform and involve the stakeholders about Water Resources
Management
•
To identify and address the stakeholders concerns about Water
Resources Management within their area of jurisdiction
•
To provide opportunities for the stakeholders to identify priorities
and determine alternative water resources management system
improvements, and water related land use actions, as well as the
relative qualities of community water resource management
behaviors
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
THE PROCESS IS DIVIDED INTO 3 PHASES
1.Planning
- Stakeholder identification & Analysis
2.Participation
- Establishment of Consultative Structure
- Development of Proposal
- Establishment of the Consultative Structure
3.Exit
- Management Committee in place; WUA is established
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION & ANALYSIS
• Identification of key stakeholders;
• Identification of challenges and opportunities; and
• Determination of suitable representation and public
participation methods
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONSULTATIVE STRUCTURE
- Public Meetings to announce the process and
nomination of representatives from different water use
sectors in the sub-catchment and establishment of an
interim management committee
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPOSAL
• Agreement on membership & boundaries
• Development of draft constitution
• Public meetings for stakeholder briefings, inputs
and development of a proposal
• Public Notice - Gazette
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Election of Management Committee
Representation is critical:
- Race
- Gender
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
MONITORING & EVALUATION
- This process is ongoing and aims at assessing the
progress made and making adjustments when
necessary
- It promotes transparency and accountability to
both the stakeholders & DWA Officials
CONCLUSION
• “Public Participation is a process that aims to
rectify the inequalities of the past by offering
stakeholders fair opportunity to be involved in
decisions that affect their lives
• It improves the chances of success and
sustainability of any initiative” Generic Public
Participation Guidelines; DWA 2001
Thank you!!