ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a practical learning example as a case study from lessons learned and proposals for an integrated drought management plan for South Africa. Drought has shaped the history of most nations and countries since time immemorial. Documented droughts and drought-related events in South Africa help us today to better understand drought, its impacts and what is required to reduce the risk for the negative impacts of drought. South Africa is a water-scarce country that is especially vulnerable to multi-year droughts. The three major driving forces for future water shortages and drought conditions are climate change in the longer term or climate extremes in the shorter term, population growth and urbanisation, and poor water governance and management.
