Botswana has ambitious plans for a commercial agriculture project that will draw nearly half a billion cubic metres of water per year from the Chobe River.

 

 Siphosethu Stuurman takes a closer look at reported discord over Chobe River irrigation scheme. [4:35m]: Play Now | Download (23)

The memories of a boy who grew up in Maputo’s Magudi District may be key to protecting the integrity of the Zambezi.

Negotiations over the Zambezi Watercourse Commission stimulated development of agreements on transboundary basin management for the whole of Southern Africa.

‘In the past we used radio to alert people downstream, but we have realised that we need more.’

‘“It is our responsibility as RBOs to avoid conflict, uncertainty and mistrust because the people might just stop trusting the Commissions.’

Climate change already costs Southern Africa five to ten percent of its GDP, according to the Stern Report; this implies a loss of between 10 and 21 billion dollars each year – in a region where nearly half the population is living on less than a dollar a day.

Davison Makanga inspects the ways sound management of shared water resources can strengthen development.

 

 Share water resources to catalyse development [4:43m]: Play Now | Download (50)