South Africa signs Blue Deal water pact with the Netherlands through 2030

South Africa and the Netherlands have signed a Declaration of Intent that carries the Blue Deal water partnership into Phase III, covering 2027 to 2030.

The declaration was signed in Cape Town on Thursday by Water and Sanitation Director-General Dr Sean Phillips and Dutch Water Authorities (Unie van Waterschappen) President Jeroen Haan. It commits both parties to continue working together on water management capacity and sustainable water resource management in South Africa, between the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Dutch Water Authorities.

Phillips said the immediate task is to turn the programme’s strategic direction into practical work. The Steering Committee endorsed the Phase III strategic direction on 7 October 2026, and the signing was used to consolidate the proposed work packages and lay a foundation for the Multi-Annual Plan that will guide implementation from 2027 to 2030.

“Today’s focus is to ensure that the proposed Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) work packages translate that direction into practical activities, clear responsibilities and targeted institutional support, whilst ensuring that Phase II learnings and momentum are taken forward,” Phillips said.

He said the Blue Deal supports national water-sector priorities in South Africa, including the National Water Action Plan.

Phase III will concentrate on strengthening Catchment Management Agencies through tailored support. The stated aims are to improve their institutional viability, develop and implement catchment management strategies, strengthen information systems and encourage inclusive stakeholder participation. The CMAs will guide the transition of relevant local initiatives in collaboration with their partners.

Four priorities are set out for the next phase, though each CMA will set objectives and projects suited to its own circumstances. They are financial and organisational viability, including sound governance and sustainable institutional arrangements, catchment management strategies to guide planning and action, data, information, monitoring and digital systems to support evidence-based decisions, and stakeholder management and participation across institutions, municipalities, water users and communities.

Earlier phases left a record to build on. Reported achievements include river clean-ups, citizen science and youth action, and protection of biodiversity at the Klipdrift River, Palmiet River and Industrial Road Stream in Grabouw. Other work cited includes an educational exhibition highlighting the Vredefort Dome and the development of Sisterhood in Water, a South African platform promoting women’s leadership in the water sector, developed with the World Water Academy and offering a digital mentorship network.

“Through Phases I and II, our local projects within Crocodile River, Vredefort Dome/Parys, Blesbokspruit, Msunduzi River and Theewaterskloof have developed excellent partnerships, practical experience and valuable shared learning among municipalities, communities and other partners,” Phillips said. “These relationships and lessons provide an important foundation for Phase III.”

Projects in Theewaterskloof, Vredefort Dome, Blesbokspruit and the Msunduzi and uMngeni catchment area, carried over from Phase II, are to serve as practical examples and learning opportunities to strengthen water management and improve water quality.

Phillips said the partnership under Phase III aims to build on progress from previous years, strengthen institutional capacity and promote local ownership for more effective and sustainable water-resource management in South Africa.

The account above is drawn from the SAnews (South African Government News Agency) report of the signing, not from the signed declaration itself. The full text of the Declaration of Intent and the Multi-Annual Plan guiding implementation from 2027 to 2030 had not been published with that report. The source is at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/south-africa-netherlands-strengthen-water-management.