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The Protocol is operationalised through the
Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP) for
IntegratedWater Resources Management
and Development in the SADC Region. The
RSAP seeks to ensure that water resources
management and development adequately
contribute to poverty eradication, regional
integration and socio-economic development
in a sustainable manner.
The Protocol calls for the establishment of
shared watercourse agreements and Shared
Watercourse Institutions (SWI) to facilitate and
coordinate the joint management of shared
watercourses. Since the Protocol came into
force, SWI have been established on all shared
watercourses in the region.
SADC Regional Strategic Action Plans
(RSAP I, II, III)
To facilitate the implementation of the Revised
Protocol on Shared Watercourses, strategic
action plans extending over periods of five
years have been developed by the SADC Water
Division since 1998. The main focus of the first
Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP I) 1999-
2004, was to create an enabling environment
for the joint management of regional water
resources (SADC 2011a). Recommendations
from the review of RSAP I helped to revise
and formulate RSAP II 2004-2010. The review
concluded that RSAP I “was the most advanced
and comprehensive multi-country freshwater
programme in the world.” Among the main
recommendations was the need to change
from a project focus to a programme approach
as well as the need to advance from the
creation of an enabling environment to water
infrastructure development.
Highlights from the review of RSAP II in
2009 included completion of integrated
water resources planning studies at basin
SADC Vision
A common future, within a regional community that will
endure economic wellbeing, improvement of the standards
of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice, peace
and security for the peoples of Southern Africa.
level; development of basin strategies
and databases; and establishment and
strengthening of River Basin Organizations
(RBOs). The review noted that while the plan
was comprehensive and highly relevant
to the needs of IWRM and development in
SADC, greater emphasis should be placed on
a number of emerging issues, such as climate
change adaptation, ecosystem approach and
the human rights based approach to water
(SADC 2011a:11). This formed the focus of
RSAP III which runs from 2011-2015. RSAP III
, which is anchored in the SADC Vision and
the Southern African Vision on Water, Life
and Environment, seeks to “strengthen the
enabling environment for regional water
resources governance, management and
development through the application of IWRM
at the regional, river basin, Member State and
community levels” (SADC 2011b).
Conceptual Framework of RSAP III
Implementation of the RSAP III is premised on
a conceptual framework with three strategic
pillars as shown in Figure 5.1. These are Water
Governance, Infrastructure Development and
Water Management.
Figure 5.1
Water
Governance
Infrastructure
Development
RSAP III
IWRM as an approach
Water
Management
Southern Africa Vision for Water
An equitable and sustainable utilisation of water for
social and environmental justice, regional integration and
economic benefit for present and future generations.