South Africa and Botswana Sign Water Security Agreement

South Africa and Botswana have entered into a collaboration focused on transboundary water security, formalized during a ministerial meeting in Gaborone. The agreement aims to manage shared water resources from several transboundary rivers, including the upper Limpopo system.

The spread of invasive species, particularly water hyacinth, has raised concerns regarding water security, biodiversity, and livelihoods in the region. This invasive plant has been clogging waterways, impacting irrigation and domestic water supplies, and affecting ecosystem health.

The agreement also seeks to address pressures on downstream users in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, who rely on the Limpopo River Basin, which supports approximately 14 million people across four countries. The Limpopo Watercourses Commission will promote coordinated management of shared water resources, including major South African catchments.

Pemmi Majodina attended the meeting ahead of the sixth session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission, where discussions included progress on a joint feasibility study for the proposed 700-kilometer pipeline supplying water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use from Lesotho to Botswana and South Africa.