KOBWA Commemorates World Water Day
This year’s theme is ‘Water for Peace’, which focuses on water management as a conduit for peace.
INTRODUCTION
The Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA) joins the world in commemorating this year’s World Water Day, themed “Water for Peace”.
This theme highlights the benefits of water management as a conduit for peace, showcasing effective mechanisms and tools to enhance co-operation and prevent water-related disputes.
As a transboundary river basin authority between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of eSwatini, KOBWA has over the past 31 years of existence ensured good relations between the two member states through equitable and fairness in the use and allocation of the 583 million cubic metres of water collectively stored in the Driekoppies Dam in South Africa and the Maguga Dam in eSwatini.
The continued release of water to downstream Mozambique has further enhanced the relations between the three states as the water released has catalysed economic development within these member states.
BACKGROUND
KOBWA is a binational entity formed in 1993 through the Treaty on the Development and Utilisation of the Water Resources of the Komati River Basin, which was signed in 1992. The agreement was between the Kingdom of eSwatini and the Republic of South Africa for the inception of the Komati River Basin Development Project (KRBDP).
KOBWA was established to implement phase 1a of the KRBDP, which comprised the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Driekoppies Dam in South Africa, and the Maguga Dam in eSwatini as phase 1b.
Currently, KOBWA is focusing on the operation and maintenance of the dams and related infrastructure. The water resources of the Komati River Basin are primarily used for irrigation with recreational, domestic use and hydropower generation as secondary users.
WATER FOR PEACE THEME
According to United Nations-Water: “More than three billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes and aquifers with their neighbours, only 24 countries report having co-operation agreements for all their shared water.”
We are happy to share that through KOBWA, the Kingdom of eSwatini and the Republic of South Africa are among the 24 countries that have a co-operation agreement for shared water.
Through the 1992 treaty, a total of 12 700ha of new irrigation land has been put under productive agricultural development in the two member states. This development has ensured that the citizens of the states undertake projects to develop their well-being, has ensured good relations and also facilitated trade among the states.
Water for Peace is about encouraging water co-operation among communities and countries that are sharing water, to maintain harmony and stability. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries, leading to conflicts. Through the Komati Joint Operations Forum, KOBWA has continued to ensure the continued engagement of the basin states’ water users in the development, utilisation and management of the shared water resources.
KOBWA’s effective and transparent decision support systems have continued to ensure the transparency on the reconciliation of the data on the water used by the different users in the shared transboundary system.
There is no denying the fact that water plays a pivotal role in our lives and is
considered a fundamental unit of the planet Earth. Yet, a large amount of garbage and industrial waste are dumped daily into the water bodies. This creates a large amount of contamination and accumulation of toxic chemicals. This, when consumed, leads to various chronic diseases and stomach infections. Therefore, this can lead to conflict among communities and countries that are sharing water resources.
In response to the potential conflict highlighted above, it is imperative for us to find a strategy to maintain peace and stability. Firstly, we should all take responsibility to ensure that we keep our water safe by not dispersing waste into dams and rivers, start conserving water for the survival of human beings and aquatic animals, and share it with others effectively.
CLOSING
KOBWA commits to good water governance, a key ingredient for peace, and will continue to work in collaboration with various stakeholders between the two member states in ensuring that the prevailing peace is maintained and sustained.
