Freshwater Governance for the 21st Century

The objective of this book is to illustrate, in general terms, the general matters of water governance, mapping the spectrum of decision-making. From a techno-centric and eco-centric approach, or a hybrid concept, to a people-centric approach; mapping the transition. The challenges to water-governance models will be considered as well as examining the polycentric model (least resistance; prefer using multi-level; reduce jargon), the integration challenge, water in the decision-making hierarchy, the rise of water-sensitive design whilst considering interdependencies between the stakeholders, as well as the issue of scale. This information will be presented in an integrated and a comprehensive way building on some detailed case studies from around the world. The set of book chapters presented in this volume will be based on the existing current knowledge as well as the authors’ working experiences in the water sector using non-technical jargon in order to achieve a wider audience. The target audience of this volume will range from academics, technicians, decision-makers, managers to students; the aim is to target not just academia but also policy-makers and deep thinkers.

She is the Executive Director for Management of Water Resources at the Water Research Commission (WRC) of South Africa, responsible for generating, disseminating and uptake of water resource knowledge by policy-makers, water managers and academics. She is actively involved with the International and African Academies of Sciences and is the advisor to the South African Academy of Science Water Programme. She is a board member on the International Water Security Network (IWSN) and the Chair of the IIASA National NRF Committee. She is a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Member of the Southern African Regional branch of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and their regional Gender Focal Point. She is a member of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) and is Chair of the WISA Law subcommittee of the Management Division. She is also a member of WaterNet. Previously, she was the Director in the Department of Water Affairs of South Africa responsible for developing policies pertaining to all decentralised Water Management Institutions and their related governance arrangements. She was a Commissioner on the Limpopo Commission (LIMCOM) and she was the co-chair of the River Basin Working Group in GEF International Waters project (IW Science).

Her main field of interest is water governance. She has approximately 20 years experience in water resource management, mostly in Southern Africa but she is also very familiar with North African water management.

She has authored numerous chapters and papers mainly dealing with water governance and the management of public property resources at local community level to regional and international levels. She is an advisory board member on Monash University, South Africa, Water Node, and an external examiner for the University of KwaZulu-Natal IWRM related courses.