MATATIELE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY A STRATEGIC WATER FACTORY TO DRIVE THE GREEN ECONOMY IN THE “Where nature, agriculture and tourism are investments of choice”

The 4352 km2 Matatiele Local Municipal area is strategically located in the watershed of the upper uMzimvubu catchment, in a grassland biome lying between 1300 and 2300m altitude. The primarily rural population of over 200 000 people is highly reliant on rural resources, grants and remittances. Farming and trading are the main economic activities. An estimated 80% of the constituency earns less than R800 per month, making them even more reliant on natural resources to meet their livelihood needs. More than 20% of the natural landscape is transformed through basic infrastructure (roads etc), residential development, agriculture and degradation.

The rolling lower foothills, below the higher BASIC DEMOGRAPHICS: altitude escarpment border with Lesotho, support  203 842 people living in 49 527 households, the majority of agricultural activities, mainly cropping and extensive livestock grazing. The 55% female headed. 90% rural, 10% urban. Maloti- mountains, plus the foothills  249 villages, in 26 wards. and valley bottoms form the water engine  39 406 economically active people but 38,7% of supplying the eastern uMzimvubu catchment, the third largest river in . The area has these are unemployed with almost half being high significance for SIP19 (one of the youth. presidential Strategic Infrastructure Projects) for  40% residents have no sanitation access. ecological infrastructure underpinning water  45% have no piped water access. security in the Eastern Cape.  45% have access to electricity for lighting. MLM has over 41 560 ha of wetlands feeding the upper uMzimvubu catchment: wetlands are critically important for erosion control, flood attenuation, winter grazing, streamflow regulation, cultural significance, carbon storage, toxicant removal, phosphate trapping, species EMERGING FARMERS form a large portion of the habitat. Wetlands sustain annual base and surface water flow which nourishes economically active population. Agriculture has a high the tributaries feeding the upper location quotient of 2.29, indicating a competitive Mzimvubu and supplying water for domestic and agricultural use to advantage for the sector in the area, and yet is only the thousands of people. eighth most important contributor to the local economy. Generally good soils and rainfall are not optimally utilized, due to the declining rangeland and soil productivity, as a result of poor management leading to overgrazing. Lack of proper stock handling, auction facilities and uncontrolled stock theft compounds underproduction in the sector. There is huge potential for growth if these rangeland and stock production factors are effectively addressed. SA is RANKED 11TH MOST WATER SCARCE Healthy HEALTHY Ecosystems=Healthy ECOSYSTEM = HEALTHY People PEOPLE COUNTRY GLOBALLY, WITH INCREASED RISK FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.

Global water use > 5000km3 per year, increasing at double global population growth.

In more than half of the country, South Africans are using more water than what’s available. We are already using 98% of our available water supply, and 40% of our waste water treatment is in a “critical state”. THE STAR- Cape Town, November 2014 The Mzimvubu River provides water to a million users from source to sea. The basin forms the northern portion with Growth of a sustainable green economy the highest mean annual runoff in SA and contributing requires healthy ecosystems to underpin nearly 15% of the total riverflow in the country. human health and well being.

“There have been unprecedented changes to local ecosystems, mainly to meet rising demands for water, food and energy, and from lack of structured management” - Climate change unknowns increase the risks to ecosystem health and water security, posing threats to human well-being which is dependent upon them.

Climate change vulnerability map in ANDM – unless we protect our intact ecosystems (shown as green areas on map) Matatiele will become extremely impacted and vulnerable as shown in the red areas around Bizana. Along with physical degradation, solid and liquid waste pose a serious threat to water resource integrity, and climate change will compound such threats to water security. KEY ASSETS & POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES

WATER RESOURCES 41 568 ha wetlands Strong network of perennial HIGH BIODIVERSITY rivers in 3 tertiary catchment Intersection of three PEOPLE & CULTURAL biomes within global DIVERSITY biodiversity hotspot & birding tourism potential Indigenous knowledge and history contributing to ecotourism e.g horse racing KEY ATTRIBUTES event IN LANDSCAPE which can be mobilized for BIOMASS Research PROCESSING IMPROVED RESOURCE opportunities from MANAGEMENT & opportunities & career wattle SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC development DEVELOPMENT

EXTENSIVE NATURAL HEALTHY CLIMATE LANDSCAPES 850mm rainfall Crop & Animal Production no malaria or FMD Ecotourism & events 320 days sunshine

A SANBI Grasslands Programme Payments for Ecosystem Services study indicates that, good wetland management practice can potentially result in an additional 3.9 Mm³flow per annum in winter river base flows and a reduction in sediment of up to 4.9 Mm³ per annum in the upper Umzimvubu catchment (Mander et al,2010). Rehabilitation of groundcover and wetlands can reduce high season flooding, reduce disasters, and allow better rainfall absorption, storage and release over the drier winter months. This increased dry season availability of water is valued at R27 million!

The mountainous rural landscape, vibrant culture & 3 transfrontier passes create unique tourism opportunities, building on what Matatiele has to offer, rather than emulating other urban offerings. KEY THREATS & CHALLENGES

SOIL AND WATER DEGRADATION FRAGMENTATION OF ECOSYSTEMS& DISRUPTION OF ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY AND UNKNOWNS CAUSES . Unmanaged alien plant infestation . Poor planning and inappropriate land use & infrastructure . Poor landscape& livestock management e.g. grazing regimes, fire and stock theft.

INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT INFESTATION In excess of20 000ha of exotic black and silver wattle threatens both grassland (reducing grazing & biodiversity) and water resources. Woody alien plants also contribute to high fuel loads for runaway fires, and stock theft rates through providing inaccessible hiding places for cattle rustlers. Wattle is a paradox species which also sustains thousands of rural households through provision of firewood and building materials. Well targeted, technically appropriate medium term management interventions are required to optimize budgets to ensure reclaimed areas are maintained and not lost again. Wattle costs approximately R6000 per hectare to clear, with follow up required for at least 3 years, averaging R15 000/ha for 3 years. POORLY MANAGED LIVESTOCK &CULTIVATION: This leads to overgrazing of certain areas, with removal of groundcover followed by loss of topsoil, with decreased rangeland and stock productivity, with decreased returns from livestock investments.

POOR PLANNING and INAPPROPRIATE LAND USE: WETLANDS and RIVERINE AREAS are compromised through inappropriate activities such as illegal sand mining, draining for cultivation, construction and sanitation in marginal areas and high sediment loads from poor road drainage and erosion. The District has EMF, but comprehensive environmental management systems are not in place to guide appropriate planning, development and maintenance of infrastructure and projects. Appointment of unqualified contractors resulting in short life span of infrastructure and increased repair / replacement costs. Allocation of inadequate budgets for development and maintenance of appropriate sustainable infrastructure. Erosion of moral fibre and culture, and breakdown of traditional authority & governance structures is prevalent

Groundcover and wetland damage leads to soil erosion, sedimentation of infrastructure and export of 50tons/ha of topsoil per year to ocean All information, images & statistics sourced from MLM Draft Situational Analysis for 2015/16 IDP review, ANDM EMF2012, and UCPP & ERS archives OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING LOCAL GREEN ECONOMY FOCUS ON UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL FOR PRODUCTION OF GOODS AND SERVICESFROM THE RURAL LANDSCAPE, ADDING VALUE THROUGH APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY, TO SUSTAIN INCOME GENERATION & ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION.

RANGELAND RESTORATION AND “ MEAT NATURALLY” LIVESTOCK MARKETING Huge potential for rural households through auctioning improved quality stock and value-adding e.g. mobile abattoir and processing Nguni hides: ox passes through 100 pairs of hands before landing on supermarket shelf. Implemented in conjunction with wetland rehab and alien clearing, managed grazing can simultaneously control stocktheft, improve rangelands and reduce erosion, contributing to water security and grassland biodiversity. Controlling alien plant spread is vital to protecting grasslands and arable fields, and constitutes high potential for EPWP benefits if well managed: job creation for initial clearing is a catalyst investment for longer term value- adding opportunities for green jobs and biomass processing, including furniture, fencing, charcoal and firewood. Cleared areas should be targeted for their restoration and productivity potential after clearing to ensure they remain alien free through appropriate utilization: this will optimise on investments made in initial clearing. DECLARE UPPER MATATIELE WATERSHED AS PROTECTED AREA‘WATER FACTORY’ Aim to protect catchment & wetlands and enhance water security under communal biodiversity stewardship Explore payment for ecosystem services returns from downstream users Build on citizen science, research opportunities and involvement in ecosystem goods & services valuing and protection Strong support from ECPTA, MDTP & local NGOs to pursue proclamation RECYCLING WASTE AND RE-PROCESSING Reduces landfill pressure and solid waste into water resources Develop small businesses selling and re-purposing ‘waste’ DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SUPPLIES: Invest in development of appropriate renewable energy sources (solar and wind) to reduce reliance on national grid, generate income for local municipality and sell excess to grid Explore small manufacturing businesses for solar components, and use of appropriate appliances to diversify Replicate successful mini-hydro schemes e.g. at Mariazell Mission BRAND AND MARKET MATATIELE AS A TOURISM AND AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT DESTINATION Revitalize and develop unique products, especially transfrontier location and passes Build on veld-raised red meat and agri-tourism accommodation potential Matatiele offers both destination and staging post services, with active local torism association of B’nB owners Develop an iconic adventure event using Transfrontier location and uMzimvubu source2sea trail concept A matrix of possible interventions is shown below, which is based on POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES & RESOURCES, combined with REALISTIC IMPLEMENTATION OPPORTUNITIES, which can satisfy the STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES of the Municipality.

A strong local civil society driven alliance, UCPP, can provide planning, fund raising and implementing support for the interventions listed below. Many of these interventions are already underway with donor support through local NGOs.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREEN ECONOMY INTERVENTIONS WHICH MEET STRATEGIC IDP OBJECTIVES FOR MATATIELE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

STAKEHOLDERS for LOCAL SERVICE

MLM STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES  POTENTIAL WARDS / BUDGET & POTENTIAL DONORS: TIMEFRAME

PROVISION:

TARGET ZONES budget given in units to allow for

lien plants lien MLM is the key stakeholder in all activities planning at different scales listed below. OPPORTUNITIES / INTERVENTIONS with

packaged project activities for fund raising  Potential donors in bold italics

Job Job creation Entrepreneurship Land Productivity benefits Tourism Basic needs security Water Manage a Development Skills resilience Climate Conservation 1. RANGE MANAGEMENT: LIVESTOCK FOR LIVELIHOODS & LANDSCAPES × × × x × × × x × × All wards local NGO implementers ERS, CSA, LIMA , FireWise / R18 000/ha over 3 years inclusive of wages, PPE, Minimum 3 years per area, ALIEN PLANT MANAGEMENT: clearing and processing Current: 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 21 Kishugu, Gamtoos equipment, management, training. combined with managed grazing Donors: DEA NRM programme / WfW; LandCare; EPWP mobilisation and follow up × × × × × x × All wards Local NGOs CSA, ERS, LIMA, INR R300 000 per cluster of 3-5 villages, over 3 years: Minimum 3 years, combined with COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION for improved stewardship of rangelands Current: 7, 14, 21, Traditional authorities, DRDLR, DAFF facilitation, training, workshops, travel last 2 items below and managed grazing (maboella) – foundation for activities below Donors: CEPF, DRDLR, “MEAT NATURALLY” initiative: x × x x × x x x x All wards DRDLR, DAFF, CSA, LIMA, INR, ERS, Equipment: R150 000 per ward for mobile stock Ongoing - livestock health & productivity: animal husbandry and „maboella‟ Current: 8, 14 handling facilities, plus R50 000 for mobile revival Donors: overnight kraaling equipment per grazing area / - mobile auction nodes for ward clusters which participate in managed DRDLR, DAFF, DEA NRM LUI programme village. grazing, to link with enabling buyer environment and veld-raised beef Onderstepoort, Universities, Heifer International, Mobile abattoir truck: R1 million, for MLM to standards Woolworths support local slaughtering at auction sites to - explore local animal product processing with mobile abattoir, hide MassMart reduce transport challenges. processing, link with local butcheries and food chains, tannery etc. Training & Facilitation: NOTE: Livestock health and marketing support programme provided to grazing programme participants as incentives to co-operate in agreed rotational rest & grazing plan to restore rangeland quality and basal cover × x x x x x x × All wards LIMA, INR, ERS, CSA, , DEDEAT, DRDLR R30 000/ha, combined with alien clearing teams Minimum 3 years SOIL CONSERVATION: Donga control& rehabilitation Current: Donors: DEA NRM programme / WfW; and managed grazing LandCare; EPWP SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING - minimum x x x x x x x x All wards LIMA, Mahlathini Organics, , SAVEACT, DAFF, DRDLR, Different costs for different crops. Average 3 years kick start cycle then tillage, water harvesting and soil conservation measures in lands and Current: LIMA? ERS, INR R50 000/ha initial investment ongoing home gardens; poultry, peaches, agri-hubs Donors: DAFF, DRDLR, ECDC × x x × x × × 2, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13,19, 25, 26 EWT, DEDEAT, DWAS R12 500/ha combined with managed grazing and Annually in clusters WETLAND REHABILITATION & protection Current: 12, 13 Donors: DEA NRM programme / WfW; LandCare; EPWP Env Education outreach

2. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY USE & RECYCLING × x x x × × All wards, even close to grid Local entrepreneurs; Project 2010X90 Very expensive! PSPs would need to quote on Long term operation at decreasing Solar: centralised & home based specific situations cost x x x x x x Matatiele town; Wards along Appropriate design engineers and universities; ANDM Very expensive! PSPs would need to quote on Long term operation at decreasing Mini Hydro power schemes higher altitudes Donors: IDC; ECDC specific situations cost × x x x x x x All wards, with cluster nodes with EIA, design, feasibility and business planning PSPs would need to quote on specific situations Medium term while wattle biomass Wattle to charcoal central depot for transport is plentiful Biogas from waste, linked to sanitation systems × x x x × x All villages and schools ANDM PSPs would need to quote on specific situations Long term 3. TOURISM AND MARKETING Development of birding routes × x × x × Ongeluksnek valley & reserves BirdLife SA, EWT, ECPTA, MTDP Boardwalks, signage, brochures etc R200 000 One year for Medium term Implement Marketing strategy with R56Matat tourism association & × x Nodes in TDP ECPTA, Route56Matat tourism association, MDTP, local As per business plans. Brochures, web site links, Annually branding strategy and TDP guidelines tourism operators and accommodation facilities, ERS promotional events with media R80 000 Annual sporting & cultural events: Mehloding horse race, Freedom x x x x x Mehloding, UCPP, Route56Matat, MDTP, ANDM, UCPP R100 000 per event plus local sponsorship Annually Challenge, Lesotho Thin air MTB, Transfrontier race, Berg to Beach 4. EXPAND PROTECTED AREAS & SECURE WATERSHED × x x x x x x × All areas from 1800m upwards, MLM as proponent with support from ECPTA, EWT, Institutional costs can be covered by ECPTA, Approx One year for establishment, Stewardship proclamation for upper catchment water factory protection & plus expansion of ONR; wetland DEDEAT, ERS, MDTP, CSA, WESSA, DRDLR, TAs MDTP and DEDEAT. Consultation, and Long term operation ECPAES with tourism, conservation & managed grazing areas along valley bottoms Donors: GEF-5; DEA, MDTP, CEPF short term workshopping approx R20 000 per village. CEPF has limited $ til 09/2015 for facilitation Communal custodianship proclamations in other CBA nodes × x x x x x x High biodiversity nodes DEDEAT, ECPTA , EWT, MDTP, ERS, As above As above x × x x x x × Ongeluksnek (13 & 14) & DEDEAT, MDTP, ECPTA, DEA, ERS, EWT Two years establishment, then long Transfrontier conservation area with Lesotho Makhoba / Mzongwana (5, 7 & 9) Donors: GEF-5; DEA, MDTP term 5. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS & CAPACITY BUILDING Global environmental events hosted locally (at least 4 per year): develop x x x x x × ward committees, officials , Local UCPP NGOs, ANDM, DEDEAT Approx R25 000 per event for catering, branded Annually calendar of events and priority days schools, tribal auth, MLM & ANDM, DWS, DEDEAT, Local NGO budgets goods, posters, transport. Use buildings not tents Ecoranger career development: for youth who cannot access formal x x x x x x x x x × Youth in all wards CSA, EWT, WESSA, ERS, LIMA, INR Approx 3 years initial then ongoing tertiary education and who want to contribute to conservation economy EU; Dept Education?? Contractor up-skilling for compliance to reduce ecosystem damage: x x x x x × All PSPs for infrastructure ANDM, DWA/S, DEDEAT, ERS, WESSA, EWT PSPs can pay for course or District could sponsor 1 month prep, one week training introduce green certification as part of tender process delivery District water demand budget? training for complaint PSPs and ocntractors x x x x x × All wards WESSA, DEDEAT, NGOs WESSA has some budget and extensive ongoing Community Env awareness & Ecoschools support and outreach DEDEAT programme; DEDEAT links