Richard Meissner

University of South Africa | unisa · Department of Political Sciences

Demonstrates PULSE3 as an innovative framework for using paradigms or the meta-theoretical elements of paradigms to analyze policies, programs, projects and plans ▶ Presents a bird's-eye view of how thinking and understanding operate in the policy context ▶ Is applicable in the private and public sectors as well as academia, where a simplified vers...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY South Africa experiences droughts on a regular basis, often associated with significant negative impacts on society and the economy. Droughts can be forecast, and South African climate scientists have been developing computer-generated models to forecast El Niño-induced droughts. Even so, there is a tendency to implement remedial...

The establishment of catchment management agencies goes beyond the involvement of governmental entities or the stipulations contained in regulatory structures and policies. A number of actors or stakeholders from both the governmental and non-governmental spheres are involved in establishing a CMA. Practices that are associated with CMA establishme...

We reflect on the politics of establishing catchment management agencies in South Africa with a specific focus on the Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA), which was recently replaced by the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA). We do so by applying the framework of adaptive comanagement and its institutional prescripti...

Interest groups are omnipresent phenomena of most political societies. They are present because of their attempts to influence public policy and their representation role. These roles are fundamental agential roles. Through these roles interest groups can bring about changes in the water policy arena. This paper will look at some of these changes u...

In late 2021, protests occurred in South Africa against Shell’s planned seismic surveys along the Wild Coast. Environmentalists have expressed concerns that these surveys could adversely affect marine life and harm fisheries and the ecological balance. Critics argued that Shell bypassed environmental assessments to gain permission for these surveys...

The inherent complexity of governing transboundary social–ecological systems like the Cubango‐Okavango River Basin (CORB) has given rise to various governance frameworks like integrated water resource management (IWRM) and adaptive governance. While these may work in theory and some specific contexts, current discordance between formal (state) and...

As elusive as the concept of equity may be, it has nevertheless been placed at the heart of global water policy. Yet inequities in access to water and participation in water resources management persist all over the world. The global water crisis is one of inequitable access rather than availability. This critical review explores equity and equalit...

The need for more attention to the social and human dimensions in global change sciences and natural resources management requires in-depth understandings of transformative approaches and processes. More inclusive and systemic approaches are needed that embrace complexity and support transformative learning, shifts in power relations, collective an...

Water as'n bron van politieke konflik en samewerking: 'n Vergelykende studie van die Midde-Ooste en Suider-Afrika. deur RICHARD MEISSNER Verhandeling voorgelê ter vervulling van die vereistes vir die graad MAGISTER ARTIUM IN DIE LETTERE EN WYSBEGEERTE in POLITIEKE STUDIES in die FAKULTEIT LETTERE EN WYSBEGEERTE aan die RANDSE AFRIKAANSE UNIVERSITEI...

Climate change is dominating social, political and economic agendas. Because of the salience of the issue, scientists, researchers and consultants have developed a plethora of climate adaptation strategies. In this article I analyse two such strategies: Adapting South African Cities and Towns: A Local Government Guide to Climate Change Adaptation P...

We explore the social processes supporting transformation towards collaborative water governance in the uMngeni catchment, South Africa. Using Holling’s adaptive cycle as a heuristic of phases (conservation, release, reorganisation and exploitation) present during transformation of social-ecological systems, we consider the role of learning, power,...

The implementation of water resource management projects is not immune to the impulses of domestic and international politics, people’s perceptions, norms and power, and the perceptions and reactions of humans to the biophysical environment. In this article, I investigate two projects: the Odendaalstroom irrigation project and the Aliwal North wate...

The purpose of this paper is to indicate how dominant research paradigms, social theories, and an epistocracy influence the governance of green and ecological infrastructures within a South African local government context. Paradigms and theories play an important constituting role that (local) government actors and institutions actively and subcon...

In recent years, the water-energy-food nexus gained traction in science and policy debates to address the relationships between water, energy and food sectors. Inspired by Political Ecology thinking, we advocate for a nexus understanding that acknowledges the political nature of the concept and points to lived and experienced nexus realities. We dr...

Actors' worldviews are critical when developing strategies; not every actor holds the same problem perception and solution. This is the case with wildlife trafficking. Not only does the state have an interest in safeguarding South Africa's wildlife, but other non-state actors, such as conservation interest groups, are also participants. These are s...

The article describes the reality of water politics at South African local government level.

This opinion piece outlines the phenomenon of climate porn and the rise of the water wars debate.

This opinion piece outlines the phenomenon of climate porn and the rise of the water wars debate.

This opinion piece outlines the phenomenon of climate porn and the rise of the water wars debate.

Water, and related issues like sanitation and pollution, are issues frequently raised by voters and political parties. With local government elections around the corner water, and related issues like sanitation and pollution, are issues frequently raised by voters and political parties. Where I stay in Hartbeespoort, the municipal ward's WhatsApp g...

South Africa is a water scarce country. In total, the country receives on average around 470 millimetres of rainfall per annum (mm/yr) compared to the world average of 860 mm/yr. On top of this, and due to South Africa’s semi-aridity, evaporation rates are also high; in some parts of the country, for instance the lower-Orange River evaporation rate...

Water governance describes the political, policy, social, economic, legal, and biophysical domains related to the water sector and its relationship with other sectors. Although these domains are rooted in specific theoretic constructs and expressed through unique implementation realities, they cannot be studied and applied in isolation. It is both...

Day Zero was a purposefully designed narrative in political communication to change middle-class water consumption behaviour in a highly visible metropolitan context of persistent drought. As an “affective fact”, however it didn't so much elicit panic, but elicited a sense of fun and social solidarity in many. The unfeasibly precise prediction of w...

This newspaper article chronocles the history of dam resistance in the Kunene River between the early 2000s until now.

South Africa's water laws and reform policies were once the envy of the world. Today, water infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly and millions more people have no access to a clean water supply than was the case a few years ago. What has happened?

p>What role can non-diplomats play in managing and altering power relations in transboundary river basins? We answer this by investigating the lobbying eff orts of indigenous peoples to stop the construction of the planned Orokawe (Baynes) dam on the Kunene River. The Kunene River forms part of the border between Angola and Namibia with several con...

Climate change is dominating social, political and economic agendas. Because of the salience of the issue, scientists, researchers and consultants have developed a plethora of climate adaptation strategies. In this article I analyse two such strategies: Adapting South African Cities and Towns: A Local Government Guide to Climate Change Adaptation P...

In Chap. 1, I indicated how paradigms and theories influence and enable green and ecological infrastructure projects, particularly within the framing of a grey epistemology. In this chapter, I will expand on the role and functioning of paradigms and theories from the philosophy of the natural and social sciences. Paradigms and theories are vital in...

In this chapter, I will present the results of an investigation that I conducted in August and September 2018 with experts inside and outside the eThekwini municipality who were involved in it’s green and ecological infrastructure policy landscape. Although a green infrastructure plays an important role in the municipality’s urban and peri-urban en...

Humankind has increased water security in highly-industrialised states by supplying sizeable populations with potable water and sanitation services. However, to a large extent, in developing countries like South Africa, cities like Durban still face water insecurity concerns. In the context of such concerns, green and ecological infrastructures pla...

The report presents findings from research the CSIR team conducted on environmental migrants in South Africa's Limpopo Province. The project was funded by South Africa's Water Research Commission.

This book offers the reader a deeper understanding of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality’s green and ecological infrastructure policy landscape. The author utilises the PULSE3 analytical framework to conduct an in-depth examination and to show how experts frame and implement the municipality’s green and ecological infrastructure strategies and...

Water is a natural resource that serves as an input to all economic sectors and industrial production processes, while providing a vital role in associated support services. Water is indispensable to the South African economy-without water, there would be no economy. While its absence is invariably a key constraint to industrialisation; its assuran...

The focus of this chapter is to make sense of the international and South African discourses on water security. Although issues linked to water security currently feature strongly in the South African media, few academics have written about water security from a South African perspective. We address this gap by reflecting on how the complex interna...

In this chapter we report on a stakeholder analysis we conducted in the Sekhukhune District Municipality and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. With the analysis we wanted to determine the stakeholders’ perceived state of water security in the two study areas. We investigated how people perceive water security and particularly to ask them if...

In this final chapter, we will present the reader with a water security theory we call the individual-centred water security perspective. As its name implies, the theory focusses attention on the individual, and particularly the individuals with various lifestyles. As such, the perspective does not highlight the role of those individuals that were...

In this chapter, we will give an overview of water security in the South African context. To do this we will discuss a number of issues pertaining to water security in terms of elements that are ‘good’, ‘bad’ and ‘ugly’ found within and outside South Africa influencing water security. These issues include South Africans’ ability to cope with water...

In this penultimate chapter, we present our water security typology. We developed this typology based on the research we conducted in Sekhukhune and eThekwini and in an effort to assist municipal officials to develop policies and programmes specifically targeted at some of these typologies. Here we define what a typology is and present a rendition...

This book provides unique insights into the complex issue of water security in South Africa. Based on qualitative research conducted through face-to-face structured interviews and focus group discussions with individuals, traditional leaders, municipal officials, researchers, businesspeople and farmers in the two local governments – the Sekhukhune...

An interdependent association exists between the planet’s oceans and human health. The oceans are responsible for most of the planet’s biological activity and biomass production while supplying humans with sustenance and oxygen that are vital for the existence of human societies. Teeming with life, the oceans have the potential to supply marine-der...

South Africa is one of the 40 driest countries in the world with an annual average rainfall of less than 500 mm. In addition, South Africa’s rate of economic development is closely linked to its level of water security, as rising water stress and increasing supply variability, flooding, inadequate access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and h...

Background As one of the 40 driest countries in the world with an annual average rainfall of 497 mm, South Africa is a water-scarce country. Additionally, South Africa's rate of economic development is closely linked to its water security. Thus, increasing water stress, supply variability, flooding, and water pollution levels and inadequate access...

http://www.watersecuritynetwork.org/new-project-to-research-green-infrastructure-for-water-security-policy/

The report outlines a typology of water security in the South African local government context.

This article looks at some of the myths operating in the urban water use sector that could influence human behaviour around the (wasteful) consumption of water.

As one of the 40 driest countries in the world with an annual average rainfall of less than 500 millimetres, South Africa is a water-scarce country. In addition, South Africa’s rate of economic development is closely linked to its level of water security, as rising water stress and increasing supply variability, flooding, inadequate access to safe...

This reprint reports on a project we conducted for the Water Research Commission on lessons learnt in establishing South Africa's catchment managemnt agencies.

There are no competing interests. As one of the 40 driest countries in the world with an annual average rainfall of 500 millimetres, South Africa is a water-scarce country. In addition, South Africa's rate of economic development is closely linked to its level of water security, as rising water stress and increasing supply variability, flooding, in...

This article explores the ideational power of indigenous people's in the lower Kunene River basin regarding the planned Orokawe dam.

The interaction between water and food resources, at various scales, becomes conspicuous during El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). El Niño, the warm and dry phase of ENSO, influences water and food resources to varying degrees across communities, regions, countries, and the globe; in other words over space. Not one of these geographical scales ex...

We presented data from the Parliamentary Grant Towards Water Security for Socio-economic Development project to the local communities of Inanda and Ntshongweni in eThekwini. The purpose was to give them feedback on the results because we had conducted focus group discussions and face-to-face interviews in these communities. We also wanted to lay th...

Research paradigms and theories have a particular conceptualisation that is often confused with other uses of paradigm and theory. To reduce confusion it is necessary to clarify what the two concepts mean and how they are used in the research domain. Research paradigms and theories are important components in generating knowledge and constituting a...

The three case studies presented in Chap. 2 show a strong bias towards positivism. Cognitive processes constitute a bias towards this particular research paradigm. I explore reasons for this inclination and recommend a theory of water research called active substantiation. Active substantiation can be a strong enforcer of expected research outcomes...

In Chap. 2, I analysed three case studies, one on climate change and two on water governance and management, using an analytical framework called PULSE3. I base this framework on the argument that positivism has difficulty investigating and explaining fundamental social process like, ambiguity, paradox, uncertainty and contradiction. The purpose of...

Research scientists investigate water research in South Africa through a number of lenses and focusing on the water sector’s various facets. The main aim of the research endeavour is to recommend solutions to the problems faced by the country’s water sector. What creeps in, so to speak, when conducting such research are the myths we rely on. In man...

In this chapter, I will present three case studies; two of which focus on water governance and management and one on climate change. Research scientists argue that climate change has a profound impact on water resources and the management thereof, hence the inclusion of climate change assessment and adaptation strategies as case studies. I analyse...

There is no doubt that research paradigms and (social) theories influence practices, not only in the public sector but also the private sector. To get to the root of the problems facing society and the ways and means we utilise water resources, we need to investigate reality through a different set of paradigmatic lenses and theoretical perspective...

The uptake of scientific knowledge is not always a grand affair. Many observers assume that scientists need to communicate with high-ranking government officials to influence policy. Grandiosely seen, scientists' views and understandings are utilised by government officials to change a national, provincial, or local government policy. Scientists ca...

This book presents a new way of looking at and analyzing policies, programs and/or plans in which research scientists have used their knowledge to develop mechanisms such as South Africa’s National Water Resource Strategy, Second Edition; Australian and South African climate change adaptation strategies for government entities and the UNDP’s Water...

This presentation argues that a top-down way of trying to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals will be difficult to achieve because communities

In this paper we briefly reflect on the different legislation and types of regulatory mechanisms that South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has in place to try to improve the performance and compliance of water services authorities (WSAs) in the controversial wastewater services sector. In particular, we focus on DWS’s incentive-b...

Over the last 17 years South Africa's water and land resources management has changed dramatically. This rapid evolution has been accompanied by a growing number of laws and policies to co-balance water allocation for human basic needs and ecosystem integrity. Most often, new ideas and innovative concepts constitute new challenges towards their imp...

South Africa has 3924 kms of coastline and a “sea-land” area that is three times bigger than its land size. Thirty percent of South Africa’s population lives on the coast. The country is also positioned on a major shipping route and has eight commercial ports and 44 non-commercial harbours. Currently, 58% of South Africa’s gross domestic product (G...

People at grassroots level do not always have the necessary information to make informed decisions when government plans to developments in transboundary river basins. The problem is often compounded by literacy levels, especially in rural areas where people still live a traditional lifestyle and are not highly educated. Since people are not well e...

This book investigates the role that interest groups have played over the years in influencing the government of Namibia, the World Bank, the European Union and project implementation authorities to not construct the proposed Epupa Hydroelectric Power Station on the Kunene River in the Baynes mountains, a region on the border between Namibia and An...

Analysts of environmental impact assessment and sustainability assessment tools recognise that ideally different types of knowledge and thinking need to be incorporated for such tools to be more effective in their sustainability objectives. Broadening thinking help to understanding complex issues these tools aspire to uncover. The sole use of posit...

Interest groups’ pervasiveness in society stretches from the domestic arena into the transnational hydropolitical domain. These non-state entities are one of the channels or mechanisms with which citizens can get into contact with government. It was through the establishment and operation of interest groups that stakeholders engaged the Namibian go...

The hydropolitical history of the Kunene River is usually recounted from a state-centric perspective. I start the Kunene River’s hydropolitical history in the days when colonists colonised South West Africa. It is therefore a very Eurocentric rendition of the river basin’s hydropolitical history. Even so, since the days of the early German colonist...

Through their approaches, interest groups have the ability to influence scalar politics and temporality at the transboundary river basin level. Researchers usually conceive of scale and time in a particular manner. Scale is usually represented as a hierarchical level or size of a geographic area. The case of interest groups in the proposed Epupa de...

When a loose coalition of transnational interest groups started a campaign against the proposed Epupa Dam, the stage was set for a confrontation of another sort in the Kunene River basin than what researchers investigated before Namibian independence. This time various interest groups from across the globe were pitted against the Namibian governmen...