ABSTRACT
Echoing wider political transformations, the last two decades in southern Africa have seen major changes in policies concerning natural resources, especially water, reflecting deepening concerns regarding resource scarcity. Taking account of the interconnectedness of land and water, the emergent view is that freshwater systems need to be managed more holistically: on a catchment basis and in a way that explicitly involves stakeholders. The guiding framework and philosophy for this are captured in the concept of integrated water resources management, which is regarded as a process rather than an end in itself, and one that can be reflexive and adaptable so as to embrace change and learning (Pollard and Du Toit 2011).
