Multiple actor perspectives on sustainable and just water management in South Africa: a qualitative analysis

Post-apartheid South African water policy put sustainable and just water management at the forefront, yet implementation has not been successful. To better understand the reasons behind this gap between policy and practice, we investigated the perspectives of 35 key actors - including government officials, NGOs, academics, agricultural companies, mining organisations, and water service providers - on the barriers and opportunities for implementing sustainable and environmentally just water management in South Africa. Using semi-structured interviews, data were thematically analysed to explore issues related to governance, multi-actor cooperation, policy interpretation, and environmental justice. Findings reveal widespread consensus that while South Africa’s National Water Act (1998) is scientifically robust, its implementation is undermined by bureaucratic overload, corruption, and insufficient political will. Respondents identified fragmented governance structures, capacity deficits, and misaligned incentives as major obstacles to policy effectiveness. Public participation was frequently cited as essential yet poorly executed, often excluding marginalised communities. Power imbalances within forums and cross-sector mistrust further constrain collaboration. Despite these challenges, there is optimism about the role of catchment management agencies, community-driven initiatives, and integrated water resource management in facilitating more inclusive and coordinated approaches. The study highlights the need for genuine actor engagement, improved interdepartmental communication, and equitable water access to advance sustainable water governance in South Africa.