The Upper uThukela River: A vital water source powering communities and economies across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Image: KIRSTEN OLIVER / Supplied.
As South Africa celebrates National Water Week from 16 to 20 March 2026, the spotlight is on the Upper uThukela Water Fund (UTWF) project, an innovative initiative striving to protect one of the country’s crucial water sources in KwaZulu-Natal.
Led by the conservation NGO WILDTRUST, this project embodies a commitment to safeguarding vital water resources through science, innovation, and inclusive community partnerships.
Coordinated annually by the Department of Water and Sanitation, National Water Week serves as a clarion call for responsible water usage and the safeguarding of South Africa’s finite freshwater resources.
This year’s campaign resonates with World Water Day on 22 March, aligned with the theme “Water and Gender” and the slogan “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.”
The emphasis on equitable access to and stewardship of water resources highlights the potential for enhanced equality and opportunity it fosters.
The Upper uThukela catchment is a linchpin in South Africa's water security, supplying large portions of KwaZulu-Natal and serving as a primary water source for Gauteng province via the inter-basin transfer into the Vaal River system.
However, this critical water source is under severe threat from population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation.
The catchment is succumbing to the invasive spread of alien species and unsustainable land management practices, jeopardising both the quantity and quality of water available.
The UTWF is a collaborative endeavor between WILDTRUST, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Nature for Water (N4W), harnessing scientific expertise to boost water security in the area.
By applying Nature-based Solutions (NbS), including the removal of invasive plants, rehabilitation of eroded landscapes, and rangeland management improvements, the UTWF promises to yield a remarkable benefit-cost ratio of 2.3:1 and a net present value of R216 million over 30 years.
More than just a conservation project, the UTWF acts as a catalyst for local development. It is primed to enhance job creation, bolster food and water security, and protect biodiversity.
In alignment with the global 30x30 conservation target, local communities are committing to conserve 32,000 hectares of near-pristine mountain and grassland adjacent to the iconic Drakensberg World Heritage Site.
This area is set to be established as a formally protected environment within the next three years under the National Biodiversity Stewardship programme.
“The Upper uThukela is not just a water source; it is the lifeblood of people, economies, and ecosystems across two provinces,” said Kirsten Oliver, Deputy Director of Conservation Programmes at WILDTRUST.
“Water security here is water security for millions. By investing in nature and empowering communities, we are investing in a more equal, resilient future.”
Further examining the viability of this venture, Oliver noted that the Business Case estimates an investment of R164 million over a 30-year period in a prioritised Nature-based Solution portfolio could unlock benefits worth around R380 million.
This includes securing an annual supply of 9 million m3 of water, reducing costs associated with water treatment, avoiding infrastructure replacement expenses, and generating R62 million for local communities from carbon credits.
Aside from the financial and economic advantages, the UTWF prioritises habitat restoration, biodiversity protection, and improved livelihoods, making its investment a compelling pathway towards sustainable water security and resilience for the region.
As National Water Week 2026 unfolds, it serves as a timely reminder that clean, running water should never be taken for granted.
Protecting strategic water sources is fundamental to securing resilience, opportunity, and equality for present and future generations.
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