TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR NDLAMBE WATER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT FORUM 2022
BACKGROUND
The Catchment Management Forum is a voluntary non-statutory body with open membership providing a voice for catchment residents or water users, particularly people who in the past have little say over the management of water resources. These Forums have not been formally established under the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), however they are referred to under Section 90(1) (b) of the Act; hence it is important for the Department of Water and Sanitation to support the establishment and maintenance of these forums.
VISION
To strive towards healthy and adequate water resources for sustainable development for all through proactive stakeholder participation within the Ndlambe Catchment.
MISSION
To provide an independent platform for the development of an integrated water resource management strategy for the Ndlambe Catchment Management Forum.
AREA OF OPERATION
- The Ndlambe Catchment Management Forum operates within the area of Ndlambe Local Municipality
- See attached Map
OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM
- To actively participate in the implementation of the National Water Act
- To monitor environmental impacts in the Catchment
- To make recommendations to community development plans
- To facilitate information and feedback to the community and stakeholders
- To create a platform for stakeholders to participate in their water resource
- To address issues and concerns raised regarding water resource management
GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE FORUM
- Transparency, accountability and responsibility
- The forum must be accessible to the public
- The forum must ensure equity
- The forum must respect the views of others
- The forum must ensure common understanding of the water issues
- All matters relating to the forum shall be addressed with necessary urgency
- All proceedings of the forum shall be recorded and be made accessible to the public.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FORUM
- To promote environmental awareness and capacity building with regard to water resource management
- To promote sustainability, equity and efficient water use around the Ndlambe catchment
- To empower stakeholders to deal with water issues
- To disseminate information to the various constituencies/organisations present in the forum
- To develop trust amongst the participants, interested and previously disadvantaged individuals
- To evaluate and ensure improvements, where necessary, in response to the complaints of the public
- To promote co-operative governance among stakeholders.
- Ensue consultation and participation of different stakeholders in the catchment management forum
DECISION MAKING PROCEDURES
- Decision making shall be guided by the principle of democracy
- Where possible issues shall be debated until consensus is reached
- Where consensus cannot be reached the issues of concern shall be recorded and referred to the authorities to clarify the matter
CURRENT ISSUES OF CONCERN WITHIN THE NDLAMBE CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT FORUM
- Water allocation
- Water Resource Management
- Water quality issues
- Environmental/ecological matters
- Illegal water use
- Water conservation
MEETINGS
- The forum shall meet four times per annum
- In the event of an unusual incident a member of the committee may request an emergency forum meeting to deal with the incident or alternatively, a task team can meet to deal with the emergencies
- The forum deals with the following matters at its regular meetings:
- Reports of complaints received from the public members
- Issues of concern among the forum members. Whenever possible these issues are forwarded in writing to the chairperson for inclusion in the agenda and if answers are needed then these will be forwarded to the relevant parties before the meeting, to facilitate discussion at the meeting.
COMPOSITION OF THE FORUM
- Department of Water and Sanitation
- Local, and District Municipalities
- Community organisations
- Traditional Authorities
- Educational institutions
- Department of Agriculture (DRDAR)
- Department of Land Affairs (DRDLR)
- Rate payers organisation
- Major water users
- Potential Developers
- Professionals (engineers, environmentalists)
- NGOs/CBOs
- Game reserves
- Private/Public companies
CHAIRPERSON
- The chairperson will ensure the orderly conduct of meetings and give all persons present reasonable opportunity to address issues of concern.
- The chair will remain with DWS until members are confident enough to chair the meetings
SECRETARIAT
- DWS is responsible for the administrative duties of the forum in terms of convening meeting, taking minutes and the dissemination of information.
- DWS also will ensure that all members of the forum are notified of the dates and venues of meetings and make sure relevant information is sent to forum members.
