DHI-SA 2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

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1 COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS DHI-SA 2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Blandford Manor, Randburg Dr Bongani Elias Sithole Head: Gauteng PDMC April 2016

2 CONTENT Legislations Types of Drought and Water Crisis in the Country Vulnerability Disaster Management Plans and Interventions Five Key Dimensions

RSA Constitution (1996) & White Paper on Developmental Local Government (1998) Constitution (1996) (S152) The objects of local government are: a) to provide democratic and accountable government for

3 RSA Constitution (1996) & White Paper on Developmental Local Government (1998) Constitution (1996) (S152) The objects of local government are: a) to provide democratic and accountable government for local communities; b) to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner; c) to promote social and economic development; d) to promote a safe and healthy environment; and e) to encourage the involvement of communities and community organizations in the matters of local government. Outcomes Provision of household infrastructure & services Creation of livable, integrated cities, towns and rural areas LED Empowered communities 3

4 Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act no 57 of 2002) Amendments to the Disaster Management Act,2002 The Disaster Management Amendment Bill, 2015 was submitted to the President of South Africa to assent and was promulgated into law on 15 December Key Amendments: Strengthening reporting requirements: Ensure that issues of disaster management and risk reduction are elevated to the key intergovernmental structures where executive decisions are made at each sphere of government. One of the highlights of the amendments alludes to the extensive requirements for each organ of state to know and consider the risks it is facing and to improve integrated planning which include expected climate change impacts and risks for the organ of state. The legislation also prescribes that an analysis be done of the impact of a disaster in accordance with gender, age, disability and cultural perspectives. 4

5 TYPES OF DROUGHT Meteorological Hydrological Agricultural Socio- Economic Agriculture Forestry Fisheries 71

WATER CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY South Africa- Water constraine d economy South Africa constrained electricity supply has resulted in

becoming increasingly vulnerable to the shocks of the reduced assurance of freshwater supply Deterioration of water data management

about 1 100 in 1990 By 2003, rainfall gauging stations had dropped below 1000 Infrastructure collapse of South Africa s sewage

128ML, SA sewerage system can only treat 836ML a day to safe discharge standards.

6 WATER CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY South Africa- Water constraine d economy South Africa constrained electricity supply has resulted in significantly slowed South Africa economy No new treatment technologies and freshwater storage As the result, South Africa economy is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the shocks of the reduced assurance of freshwater supply Deterioration of water data management system in our country The number of government managed rainfall gauging stations peaked at over 2000 in the 1970 s it had dropped to about in 1990 By 2003, rainfall gauging stations had dropped below 1000 Infrastructure collapse of South Africa s sewage management plants South Africa has 824 wastewater treatment works All state owned and mostly local municipal level Collectively treat 5 128ML, SA sewerage system can only treat 836ML a day to safe discharge standards. Overloading of our country s potable water plants and impacts of the El Nino phenomenon New freshwater sources must be found Radically change the manner in which we deal with the country freshwater challenges. 6

7 VULNERABILITY: WATER While dams mean water is stored for drinking, the intense heat and lack of rainfall has been catastrophic food security. Untreated sewage contains a range of potentially pathogenic bacteria and viruses, as well as great concentrations of partially metabolized antibiotic and antiretroviral drugs. South Africa has 1085 potable water treatment plants (PWTO s), all run by state-owned entities, to provide clean drinking water to its citizens. A total of 250 PWTP s are dysfunctional or in poor operational condition. None of the PWTP s are designed, or equipped to transform effluent into potable water. Yet the freshwater resources that these PWTP s are extracting their raw water from carry increasing loads of partially or untreated sewage and other toxic or pathogenic components. This means that the likelihood of these toxins and pathogens reaching us through our supposedly potable water supply is also increasing. Food that has been irrigated or washed with ineffectively treated raw water can spread toxins and pathogens to consumers and to farmworkers. 7

8 DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLANS DROUGHTS. Disaster Management Plans Disaster Management Sector Plan: Areas of responsibility include the establishment and management of District and Metro-level IGR structures and systems. Climate Change Sector Plan: Metro and District Level IGR structures are fully established and functional, with regular meetings taking place on a quarterly basis Drought Management Plan Drought Response Plan Drought Recovery Plan Drought Coping Strategies Drought Scheme Framework The development a National Disaster Management ICT Framework Development of the technologies to detect and disseminate early warning information as the country continued to received below normal 8

9 INTERVENTIONS Risk Reduction: Groundwater Study Awareness campaigns Clearing alien vegetation Short- Term interventions Long Term intervention 70

10 FIVE KEY DIMENSIONS The drought presented as both a crisis and an opportunity to innovate to roll out new water savings initiatives and incentives at scale, and to leverage community and political will to make needed policy and regulatory changes. Strong partnerships, knowledge sharing and coordination between organizations PDMC s, Water Services, utilities, researchers and farmers supported success during the drought. Communication and public engagement on water savings programmes and the water scarcity situation were essential to the success of all water saving initiatives. Government need to implement best practice policy settings and regulatory arrangements to enable investment in cost effective supply measures as well as water efficiency measures. Diversifying the supply portfolio 10

11 THANK YOU 11

12 Dr Bongani Elias Sithole Head: Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Cell: ,

ISASTER RISK REDUCTION EFFORTS IN ZIMBABWE

D ISASTER RISK REDUCTION EFFORTS IN ZIMBABWE GOVERNANCE - POLITICAL COMMITMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS In Zimbabwe, political will is amply demonstrated by the existence of the legal enabling statute,