Progress Report: Quarter 1 2015/16 - Resilience in the Limpopo – Olifants Association for Water and Rural Development

Agency for International Development under the RESILIENCE IN THE LIMPOPO BASIN PROGRAM (RESILIM). The project is implemented by the Association for Water and Rural Development (AWARD) in collaboration with partners. The programme aims to build resilience in the Olifants catchment, which is a critical component of the transboundary Limpopo Basin. The Olifants River ceased flowing for a number of days in 2005, prompting widespread concern and calls for an integrated focus on all of the easterly-flowing rivers of the Lowveld of South Africa. The Olifants catchment is a particular concern given that its heavy rainfalls make it the largest contributor to the transboundary Limpopo Basin. Despite the enabling legislative framework for water reform in South Africa since 1998, the integrity of most rivers in this catchment continues to degrade both in terms of quality and quantity. The programme's activities focus on finalising studies and assessments conducted in Phase 1 and the move towards establishing strategic partnerships for the implementation of resilience building endeavours associated with Phase II. Key activities have included holding a consultative Strategic Partner's Meeting in October and concluding the annual Work Plan and long-term planning for Phase II. The programme has also continued to ensure that its organisational and operational capacity reflects the new phase of implementation through bolstering the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) and the Grants and Contracts Units. The programme has made significant progress in achieving its targets, with a constant increase in cost share obligations. It is expected that the cost share will significantly improve in Q2 as the sub-granting component of the programme is initiated. The programme believes it is on course in achieving its targets set out for the next quarter. Overall, it has been a good period of performance, and the programme believes that this report reflects its attempts at building strategic partnerships in building resilience in the Olifants catchment. The programme's quantitative reporting has been bolstered with clearly elaborated indicators that are linked to its Work Plan. Given the short period of performance as a result of December holidays, the numbers are relatively low. However, the quantitative data are adequate evidence that further traction will be achieved in the coming period. The programme has also continued to engage with stakeholders, using feedback received to strengthen its implementation process and to convince stakeholders of the need for commitment and dedication for change. The programme's revised objectives are practice or action-oriented, and the findings from Phase I have begun to inform its action-oriented activities and conceptual framing for a collaborative response and systemic action in response to the key vulnerabilities identified in the Olifants catchment. The programme has also continued to engage with its strategic partners, providing an overview and highlighting progress made through strategic engagement. The programme's long-term planning for Phase II has been concluded, and key appointments are scheduled in the next reporting period to ensure that all identified activities for this year plan are efficiently and effectively achieved.