Upper Groot Letaba Catchment Initiative
The Just Landscape Transition Plan (JLTP) for the Upper Groot Letaba Catchment
Project Overview
The Just Landscape Transition Plan (JLTP) for the Upper Groot Letaba Catchment is an initiative led by the Association for Water and Rural Development (AWARD) in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Letaba Water User Association, the University of Limpopo, Kruger to Canyons NPC, and agricultural industry leaders such as ZZ2. The project is supported by the South African Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Partners for Water.
This initiative builds on two years of stakeholder engagement in the Upper Letaba region, aiming to develop a locally driven transition plan for sustainable land and water management. The JLTP will promote ecological restoration while ensuring economic opportunities for local communities. The Upper Groot Letaba is a Strategic Water Source Area, yet extensive agricultural transformation has compromised its water retention capabilities. Through a multi-stakeholder platform, the JLTP will integrate systems thinking, process management, and collaborative action to enhance governance, sustainability, and resilience in the region. The plan is expected to be adopted by stakeholders by July 2025.
Project Timeline
Start Date
June 1, 2024
Completed
July 31, 2025
Our Objectives
The project aims to develop an inclusive, stakeholder-driven transition plan that fosters sustainable water and land management practices in the Upper Groot Letaba Catchment. The objectives include: Establishing a multi-stakeholder platform to facilitate co-learning and collaborative decision-making. Identifying priority areas for restoration and conservation while maintaining economic viability for local agricultural stakeholders. Implementing social learning approaches to enable adaptive governance and sustainable resource management. Strengthening the capacity of local communities, businesses, and government entities to engage in integrated planning. Developing a final JLTP that outlines policy recommendations, land-use strategies, and mechanisms for sustainable water management.
Key Activities
1. Conducting stakeholder mapping and engagement processes to ensure diverse participation. 2. Developing a social learning and process management framework for collaborative planning. 3. Hosting multi-sectoral meetings, including individual and sector-based engagements, to refine the JLTP approach. 4. Implementing landscape-level assessments to determine ecological risks and opportunities for restoration. 5. Establishing a governance framework that integrates ecological and economic considerations into planning decisions. 6. Producing the final JLTP, incorporating input from stakeholders and scientific assessments.
Expected Outcomes
A comprehensive and locally endorsed Just Landscape Transition Plan for sustainable land and water use in the Upper Groot Letaba Catchment. Improved stakeholder coordination and governance structures that support sustainable resource management. Increased awareness and engagement of local communities in conservation and land restoration efforts. Strengthened resilience of water sources through targeted ecological interventions and sustainable agricultural practices. A framework that can serve as a model for similar landscape transition initiatives across South Africa.
Project Team
Dr Jai Clifford-Holmes Derick du Toit Basani Mongwe Hugo Retief Tebogo Mathebula
Our Funders
Organizations supporting this project
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Our Partners
Collaborating organizations
Kruger 2 Canyons
Project Resources
Documents and additional materials
