scholarly journals Inter basin water transfers

1985 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. P. C. Van Robbroeck

Most economic development in South Africa has taken place on the dry plateau of the interior following the discovery of minerals. The much smaller wetter parts get most of the run-off and have generally limited possibilities for advantageous use of their water resources. Consequently, it is logical to transfer water between basins with a surplus to ones experiencing shortages. There is a body of opinion that such transfers should be stopped in the interest of the decentralistion policy, but such action is not considered in the national interest. The intricate system of inter-basin transfer from the Komati, the Usutu and the Vaal River to supply the Eastern Transvaal coalfields is described. This system has shown its flexibility during the recent drought. The most important inter-basin transfer scheme is the Tugeia- Vaal Project which is described in broad terms. The advantages of the principle of reserve storage and of co-operation with Escom are dealt with. Possible further projects to augment the Vaal River supplies are mentioned. Other inter-basin transfer schemes implemented by the Department of Water Affairs such as the Orange River Project, the Riviersonderend-Berg River Project and others of lesser importance are dealth with.

Nigeria faces inexorable climate change in recent times. This phenomenon will have a profound effect on the long-term sustainable socio-economic development and is also likely to jeopardize achievement of economic development of the country. All economic and social sectors will be adversely affected. The water resources sector is one that will be strongly impacted by climate change. Against a background of increasing demand for potable water, sea-level rise may lead to flooding of lowlands and seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, while variability in climate may see more intense rainstorms resulting both in increased run-off leading to increased flooding and reduced recharge leading to aquifer depletion. Such impacts are already having negative ripple effects on other vital aspects of the economy such as the tourism, recreational, agricultural and industrial sectors. Unfortunately, adequate management of water resources in Nigeria is sorely lacking. Extensive studies to quantify the likely impacts of future climate change and climate variability on water resources in Nigeria are not available. In many cases, baseline data which may be used to track changes are sparse or non-existent. The impacts of climate change and economic value of water resources will form the basis for the development of adaptation strategies with regards to the sustainable management of regional and national water resources. This paper therefore explores the probable effect climate change will have on water resources in Nigeria, the fall-out from these effects and strategies for mitigating potential negative impacts for sustainable development.


Author(s):  
Johann W.N. Tempelhoff

There is discernable evidence of the human presence having historically appropriated the 1300 kilometer long Vaal River of South Africa as it extends itself from the Drakensberg Plateau into the arid Karoo region. This hard-working tributary of the Orange River, which was instrumental as a supply of water to the Witwatersrand, in the era of the region’s gold mines, has been used by humans in a variety of ways. First it was used as a route of communications, then as a borderline demarcating the territorial spaces of states and colonies. Later it was used for purposes of economic development. In the study the objective is to point towards the manner in which humans have influenced the river and its hinterland, particularly from the nineteenth century, up to the 1950s. The process of appropriation, it is argued, has had a different effect when humans laid claim to the river and its environment for social, economic and political purposes.


Author(s):  
Daniel Haines

This chapter explains the origins and development of the Indus waters dispute in terms of the fragile Indian and Pakistani states’ search for power and legitimacy after independence. Both new governments framed their claims on Indus water not just necessary for economic development, but as part of their respective nation-making projects. The chapter argues that the Indus dispute helped Indian and Pakistani policy elites to formulate particular ideas about water resources, riparian rights and ‘national’ territory. India, upstream, asserted a sovereign right to use all water flowing within its borders. Pakistan, downstream, appealed to the idea that its own historical uses of Indus Basin water overrode India’s right to autonomy. Controlling the flow of water out of, or into, a state’s territory was a vital marker of its fitness to govern.


Author(s):  
Thandekile Phulu

In South Africa employees are protected by various pieces of legislation. Section 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 provides for a right to fair labour practice. In its preamble the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (hereafter referred to as the LRA) states that the purpose of the Act is to advance economic development, social justice, labour peace and democratisation of the workplace. The LRA also states that one of its objectives is to give effect to and regulate the fundamental rights conferred by section 27 of the Constitution. The Occupational Health and Safety Act as amended by the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act 181 of 1993 provides for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery. The LRA provides for dismissal for incapacity and dismissals for misconduct. It also differentiates between the two. The LRA provides for both substantive and procedural fairness when dismissing an employee for incapacity and misconduct. This paper will examine the rationale behind differentiating between dismissal for drunkenness and dismissal for alcoholism.


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