Johannesburg, 16 March 2026: As South Africa celebrates National Water Week from 16 to 20 March 2026, the WILDLANDS programme of the conservation focused NGO, WILDTRUST, shines a spotlight on the Upper uThukela Water Fund (UTWF) project — a pioneering initiative dedicated to protecting one of the country’s most vital and strategic water sources in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa through innovation, science, and inclusive community partnership.
National Water Week, coordinated by the Department of Water and Sanitation, is an annual call to action for responsible water use and the conservation of South Africa’s precious freshwater resources. This year’s campaign aligns with World Water Day on 22 March, set by UN-Water under the theme “Water and Gender” and the slogan “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.” The theme underscores how equitable access to, and stewardship of, water resources can drive greater equality and opportunity for all.
The Upper uThukela catchment plays a critical role in South Africa’s water security. It supplies large parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and is a primary source of water for Gauteng province via inter-basin transfer into the Vaal River system. With mounting pressure from population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation, the urgency to protect and restore this strategic water source has never been greater. However, the Upper uThukela catchment faces severe degradation from invasive species and unsustainable land management, threatening both water quantity and quality.
The Upper uThukela Water Fund, led by WILDTRUST in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Nature for Water (N4W) among others, is a collaborative, science-driven effort to enhance water security. By investing in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) — such as removing invasive alien plants, rehabilitating eroded landscapes, and improving rangeland management — the UTWF will deliver significant investment returns: a benefit-cost ratio of 2.3:1 and a net present value of R216 million over 30 years.
This initiative also acts as a catalyst for local development, creating jobs, improving food and water security, and protecting biodiversity. In support of the global 30×30 conservation target, local communities have set aside 32,000 hectares of near-pristine mountain and grassland, adjacent to the iconic Drakensberg World Heritage Site to become a formally protected environment within the next three years through 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. Water security here is water security for millions. By investing in nature and empowering communities, we are investing in a more equal, resilient future,” said Kirsten Oliver, Deputy Director of Conservation Programmes at WILDTRUST.
“Through securing multi-stakeholder engagement and implementing scalable Nature -based Solutions, the work of the UTWF presents a viable and cost-effective solution to enhancing water security and ecological resilience in the Upper uThukela catchment,” she added.
“Through the findings of the Business Case, we estimate that investing R164 million over 30 years in a prioritised Nature-based Solution portfolio in the Upper uThukela Catchment could unlock around R380 million in benefits,” said Oliver.
Key gains include securing 9 million m3 of water annually, reducing water treatment costs, avoiding infrastructure replacement costs, increasing cattle sale revenues, and generating R62 million for local communities from carbon credits.
Beyond financial and economic returns, investment in the UTWF fosters job creation, habitat restoration, biodiversity protection, and improved livelihoods, making it a compelling investment for sustainable water security and resilience.
National Water Week 2026 is a timely reminder not to take clean, running water for granted and that safeguarding our strategic water sources means securing opportunity, resilience, and equality for generations to come.
If you or your business wants to find out more and how you can get involved in helping us safeguard and conserve this critical water source, please reach out to Buyisiwe Makhoba Dlamini at [email protected].
Image caption: The Upper uThukela River: A vital water source powering communities and economies across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. PHOTO: KIRSTEN OLIVER
MEDIA QUERIES:
Kerry Simpson, Mantis Communications – [email protected]; 079 438 3252
About WILDTRUST:
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust – IT No.4329/1991/PMB) is a South African Non-Profit, Non-Government and Public Welfare Organisation, established in 2004 through the merger of two regional Trusts. It pursues the realisation of its vision of “A Thriving and Resilient World” through two core programmes: WILDLANDS and WILDOCEANS.
WILDLANDS focuses on protecting and restoring terrestrial biodiversity and wildlife, empowering and uplifting communities.
WILDOCEANS protects and restores marine and coastal biodiversity while building resilience for coastal communities.
Both programmes aim to enhance sustainability and impact through future leader development, science and knowledge generation, support to decision-makers and management authorities, community development and livelihoods support, awareness and communication, and advocacy and campaigning.
WILDTRUST respects the inter-connectedness of all things and is working to bring humankind and nature back into balance by reducing the impact of humanity, while providing opportunities for people and nature to thrive.
WILDTRUST reconnects, regenerates, restores, and empowers people and planet. For more information visit https://www.wildtrust.co.za/
About the Upper uThukela Water Fund:
The UTWF is an innovative partnership improving water security and ecosystem health in the upper uThukela catchment, benefiting both KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The Upper Thukela Water Fund (UTWF) is a strategic initiative designed to enhance water security in the upper uThukela catchment through Nature-based Solutions (NbS). WILDTRUST, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and supported by Nature for Water (N4W), leads this initiative to improve catchment management through multi-stakeholder governance and funding. Ultimately, the UTWF seeks to address water challenges and environmental degradation caused by climate change and population growth.
