Decentralisation derailed: Water governance and the persistence of inequality in South Africa

Abstract

This study examines how decentralising water resources management in South Africa has deepened inequity and inequality in water governance. Although integrated water resource management (IWRM) promotes participation, it fails to address power imbalances and historical inequalities rooted in Apartheid. This paper employs a systematic literature review and qualitative thematic analysis of 13 peer-reviewed studies, policy documents, and institutional reports published between 1998 and 2024. Using a thematic analysis approach, studies were coded according to themes of decentralisation, participation, and equity in South Africa’s water governance framework. The findings reveal that IWRM’s limited focus on social factors leads to superficial participation and worsening disparities. To address this, the study proposes ‘developmental water management’ (DWM), which combines participation, power, and equity within a developmental state framework for more inclusive water governance. The research calls for policy reforms, institutional changes, and active engagement with marginalised communities to ensure equitable water access for all.