Freshwater is South Africa’s lifeblood and one of its scarcest resources. As a growing young democracy South Africa is being confronted with the added challenge of aggressively seeking to achieve socio-economic targets in a water-scarce environment.

 

With 98% of South Africa’s water resources allocated to agricultural, domestic and industrial use this has placed severe pressure on our freshwater ecosystems. Some 84% of our main rivers are under threat, with 44% critically endangered. It has been estimated that 50% of our wetlands have been lost. This affects not only the biodiversity dependent on these ecosystems, but also the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on this life-giving resource.

 

In line with these sobering statistics the WWF Freshwater Programme is concentrates its work around the following major goals to ensure that these ecosystems are able to continue playing the vital role they do:

 

1. The protection of our watersheds through the establishment of effective integrated catchment management practices and structures.

 

2. The reduction of impacts from agricultural sectors.

 

3. Ensuring adequate protection and restoration of key freshwater habitats.

 

WWF is engaging constructively with government, the private sector and civil society to ensure that the vital role of freshwater as a resource is taken into account in the economic development planning of our country.