BGCMA: Emerging Farmer Support Package

1. THE NATIONAL WATER ACT, 1998 (ACT 36 OF 1998): RESOURCE POOR FARMER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

2. VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION OF WATER USE IN THE BREEDE-GOURITZ WATER MANAGEMENT AREA

3. WESTERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: FARMER SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

4. DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM

5. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES)

6. AFRICAN FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (AFASA)

CONTRIBUTORS

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) with the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA) recognise that most resource poor farmers, poor rural and poor urban households do not have sufficient capital to fund irrigation development and other household's food security initiatives. They are considered by financial markets as high risk clients for capital infrastructure funding.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) (hereafter referred to as “the Act” or “the NWA”) has equity and sustainability as central guiding principles to protect, use, develop, conserve, manage and control water resources. It is thus necessary to address the need to promote social and economic development through the use of water in an equitable way, and to provide different forms of assistance, which will promote these objectives through self-sufficiency and sustainability of the different water management institutions (WMIs).

The Breede-Gouritz CMA is established in line with the NWA. The NWA states that ”the purpose of establishing these agencies is to delegate water resource management to the regional or catchment level and to involve local communities, within the framework of the national water resource strategy established in terms of Chapter 2 of said Act. Whilst the ultimate aim is to establish catchment management agencies for all water management areas, the Minister acts as the catchment management agency where one has not been established.”

Resource Poor Farmers (RPFs) are by definition provided in the Regulations to Financial Assistance to Resource Poor Farmers, GNR.1036 of 31 October 2007: Regulations on financial assistance to resource poor farmers (Government Gazette No. 30427). Which states, “resource poor farmer” means a farmer who is eligible for financial assistance in terms of regulation 3 (1);

Regulation 3(1) stipulates that, Subject to sections 61 (3) and (4) of the Act, a farmer is, for the purpose of agricultural water use development, eligible for financial assistance contemplated in section 61 (1) of the Act if the farmer —
(a) is a South African citizen;
(b) is a member of any historically disadvantaged population group; and
(c) has —
(i) agricultural land or access to agricultural land;
(ii) a water use authorization, except where financial assistance for acquisition of water entitlement is required; and
(iii) agricultural water use development needs and is unable to raise finance for that purpose.

Provision of DWS financial assistance is contemplated in sections 61 and 62 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998 [the Act]).

Section 61: Financial Assistance By Minister

(1) The Minister may, subject to a regulation made under section 62, give financial assistance to any person for the purposes of this Act, including assistance for making licence applications, in the form of grants, loans or subsidies, which may be made subject to such conditions as the Minister may determine.

(2) The financial assistance must be from funds (a) appropriated by Parliament; or (b) which may under this Act or otherwise lawfully be used for the purposes in question.

(3) Before giving any financial assistance, the Minister must take into account all relevant considerations, including:
  (a) the need for equity;
  (b) the need for transparency;
  (c) the need for redressing the results of past racial and gender discrimination;
  (d) the purpose of the financial assistance;
  (e) the financial position of the recipient; and
  (f) the need for water resource protection.

(4) A person who wilfully fails to comply with any obligations imposed by this Act is not eligible for financial assistance under this Act.

Objectives And General Principles

The policy framework on RPF financial assistance endeavours to promote initial access to irrigated agriculture, to enhance sustainable irrigation development for resource poor farmers and improve household food security for poor households by making available to them various types of grants or subsidies.

General Terms And Conditions

Financial assistance granted under section 61 of the Act for the purposes of agricultural water use development is subject to the following terms and conditions:

- Financial assistance may be granted and utilised only for activities that ensure that water is protected, used, developed, conserved, managed, and controlled in a sustainable and equitable manner;
- Financial assistance must be used strictly in accordance with the project proposal or business plan that was submitted with the application for financial assistance and must directly cover the resource poor farmer's proportional share of the cost of the agricultural water use development activities in respect of which the financial assistance was granted;
- Any disbursement of funds in respect of the financial assistance is subject to the availability of funds in DWS's budget for this purpose, and compliance of the completed activities with the specifications as indicated on project proposal approved by DWS;
- Repayment conditions may be imposed by the Minister to enforce an agreement entered into with DWS regarding the granting of the financial assistance, and prevent any deviation from or non-compliance with the conditions subject to which the financial assistance was granted; and
- The financial assistance is to be withdrawn by DWS in the event of any deviation from the project proposal or business plan that was submitted with the application for financial assistance, or non-compliance with any term or condition subject to which the financial assistance was granted.

This policy framework endeavours to promote initial access to irrigated agriculture and to enhance sustainable irrigation development for resource poor farmers by making available to them various types of grants or subsidies, in terms of Sections 61 and 62 of the National Water Act, 1998, like:

- Government Water Schemes (GWS); or
- Ex-homeland GWS; or
- Water user association (WUA) schemes; or
- Schemes of other approved legal entities

Applications for these grants or subsidies should be channelled through the provincial Coordinating Committees on Agricultural Water (CCAWs) and when recommended by that body, the relevant Regional Offices will provide all the necessary information and documentation to Head Office, needed to prepare the grant or subsidy application for submission to the Minister.

This role played by the Regional Offices, will eventually be taken over by the relevant CMAs, once they have been established. The Directorate: WR Finance and Pricing provides the Regional Offices with a list of requirements that are needed in order to deal with applications. Comprehensive guidelines in a clear step-by-step format are stipulated for all CCAWs, in order to ensure that every proposed applicant can be advised correctly on the procedures and best practices, and to ensure standardisation of the process that will be followed.

Beneficiaries will qualify for each of these five products once only per specific use. That means that neither would the same user qualify for a second grant or subsidy for the same use, nor would another user qualify for a grant or subsidy for the same use, if somebody else has already been subsidised for the specific use.

Resource poor farmers who are South African citizen and who are regarded as members of historically disadvantaged population groups and are also members of Water User Associations or any Legal Entity approved by DWS. To qualify, they must also have land or access to land, a water use authorisation and must have agricultural water use development needs but be unable to raise finance for this purpose and must be 18 years of age or older.

The five packages funded are:

a) Grants on capital cost for Bulk Water Distribution Infrastructure: for the construction and/or upgrading of Canals, main pipelines, main pump stations, weirs, communal storage dams, take-off points.

b) Subsidy on Operation and Maintenance of waterworks, Water Resource Management and Depreciation Charges, phased out over a six year period, scaling down by 20% annually (except for depreciation charges) to resource poor farmers who access:

- Government Water Scheme (GWS) that are managed by DWS;
- GWS that are operated and maintained by WUA or other approved legal entities; &
- Other WUA or approved legal entities.

Table 1: Phased out process of subsidy

Year	WRM	O&M	Depreciation
0	100%	100%	100%
1	80%	80%	100%
2	60%	60%	100%
3	40%	40%	100%
4	20%	20%	100%
5	0%	0%	100%
6	0%	0%	0%

c) Grant for preliminary or remedial socio-economic viability studies and investigations for agricultural water use development:

- Consultant services for facilitation, needs assessments, technical planning and design, including the socio-economic feasibility studies;
- The assessment of long term water availability, existing infrastructure, different options available and development prospects for agricultural water use development;
- The cost of materials, equipment and construction of new bulk-supply water works or the rehabilitation or upgrading of existing infrastructure;
- Water conservation and water management measures on agricultural water use;
- Dealing with the legal and administrative requirements for the development or rehabilitation of infrastructure for agricultural water use.

d) Grant on training of Management Committees of WUA or other approved legal entities on:

- Efficient water distribution management on agricultural water use;
- Water use and conservation programmes, techniques and practices;
- Financial management, business plan development, budgeting and legal aspects; and
- Measures on how to ensure scheme sustainability.

e) Grant for Rain Water Harvesting:

- for family food production and other productive uses.

Yes, DWS financial support to Resource Poor Farmers is supplementing other Government funding mechanisms. Those who have benefited from DWS subsidies and grants before are also eligible to apply. However, priority will be given to first time applicants. The DWS Regional Office should verify if the applicant has previously received financial assistance from DWS.

A formula is used to determine how much money farmers will qualify for on each product they apply for. Variables for the calculation formulas are:

- Number of hectares scheduled under irrigation for applying resource poor farmer,
- Number of applying resource poor farmers, &
- Total cost of the project.

The grant or subsidy amount will be determined according to the different calculation formula assigned to each product.

No, this means an applicant is eligible and his/her request is going to be considered for funding and that a detailed proposal will be formulated and tabled at the Coordinating Committee on Agricultural Water (CCAW) to assess the viability of the project. The decision to finance your project is made by the DWS based on CCAW recommendations and subject to availability of funds.

The CCAW is the Coordinating Committee on Agricultural Water; this is an intergovernmental forum that serves as provincial clearing house on agricultural water use development issues. CCAW provide technical planning and streamlined liaison between different Departments with a broaden focus on agricultural water use and widened participation by relevant role players and disciplines.

CCAW was established in terms the National Guidelines for Integrated Management of Agricultural Water Use that was approved by the Agricultural MINMEC on the 30th of October 2003. National and Provincial departments of agriculture were mandated to lead integration of initiatives in the agricultural water use sector through this forum. Each province is envisaged to have this forum under the chairmanship of the relevant Provincial Department of Agriculture.

Due to its composition, CCAW has proficiency in all issues of sustainable irrigation development therefore, acts as advisory committee to DWS hence, it recommends projects that have merits for funding by DWS financial support. It is important to note however, that approval of projects remains the responsibility of DWS.

Application can be made by filling in the application forms which can either be downloaded from the official Departmental website (www.dws.gov.za) or by contacting the following officials dealing directly with financial assistance to RPF’s and scheduling pre application meetings at the Bellville Regional office:

Contact Details: ASSISTANCE TO RESOURCE POOR FARMERS

BERG-OLIFANTS WMA: Ms Ella Bisset Tel No: (021) 941-6173 Email: bissete@dws.gov.za

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & SANITATION, WESTERN CAPE: Mr Simphiwe Mashicila Tel No: (021) 941-6223 Email: mashicilas@dws.co.za

BREEDE-GOURITZ CMA: Ms Elmarie van Rooyen Tel No: (023) 346-8000 Email: erooyen@bgcma.co.za

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) is founded on the principles of the National Government and therefore has overall responsibility for and authority over water resource management, including the equitable allocation and beneficial use of water in the public interest. According to the National Law, a person can only be entitled to use water if the use is permissible under the National Water Act.

Chapter 4 of the NWA defines the general provisions, requirements and conditions for water use. Section 21 of the NWA specifically, lists all the “water uses” whilst Section 22 of the NWA defines the permissible water uses.

For the purposes of the National Water Act, water use includes:
(a) taking water from a water resource;
(b) storing water;
(c) impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse;
(d) engaging in a stream flow reduction activity contemplated in section 36;
(e) engaging in a controlled activity identified as such in section 37( 1 ) or declared under section 38(1);
(f) discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer, sea outfall or other conduit;
(g) disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource;
(h) disposing in any manner of water which contains waste from or which has been heated in any industrial or power generation process;
(i) altering the bed, banks course or characteristics of a watercourse;
(j) removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is necessary for the efficient continuation of the activity or for the safety of the people;
(k) using water for recreational purposes.

Section 22 of the NWA defines the permissible water uses which include:

A person may only use water in terms of Section 22 of the NWA, 1998 -
(a) without a licence -
  i. if that water use is permissible under Schedule 1 (defined below);
  ii. if that water use is permissible as a continuation of an existing lawful use (defined above); or
  iii. if that water use is permissible in terms of a General Authorization (defined below) issued under section 39;
(b) If the water use is authorised by a Water Use Licence (defined below) under this Act; or
(c) If the responsible authority has dispensed with a licence requirement under sub- section (3).

NOTE: The first step in the water use licensing process is the determination of the reserve for that specific water resource. The reserve is that quantity and quality of water that are being needed for basic human use and for the environment.

1. Schedule 1 use: In terms of the Act, a person who lawfully owns/occupies a property may take water for reasonable domestic use, water for small gardening (not commercial) and watering of animals (excluding feedlots) if he/she has lawful access to the resource, if the use is not excessive in relation to the capacity of the water resource and the needs of other lawful water users. No application for a licence needs to be made.

2. General Authorisations: The General Authorization (GA) merely allows for users/potential water users to do certain limited water related works (i.e. abstraction water from a water resource (groundwater or surface (river) water) or storage (dam) in certain areas. These areas are all in the GA that can be made available or a person can download it from the DWS website (www.dws.gov.za). Also note that this is applicable if the use is not excessive in relation to the capacity of the water resource and the needs of other lawful water users.

3. Existing Lawful Use (ELU) – this allows water use that was lawfully used before the NWA came into effect to continue until it can be converted into a licence using compulsory licensing. Note that the Water Use should have been lawful and it must have been exercised two years prior the promulgation of the NWA. Note: The first legal requirement that existing lawful water users were asked to fulfil under the NWA, 1998 was to register their water use (existing). The call for Existing Lawful Water Users to register their commercial water use was made in the Government Gazette on 12 November 1999, in terms of Section 16(1) (c) of the NWA. Existing Lawful Water Users were asked to register their water use as it actually took place, on the day of registration that was lawful in terms of the NWA, 1998. Water users should know that registration of water use is not an entitlement and that the water use that was registered should still be verified.

4. Water Use Licence: All water uses that do not fall under Schedule 1 or GA must be authorized through a Water Use License. The first step in the licensing process is the determination of the Reserve for that specific water resource. The Reserve is that quantity and quality of water that are being needed for basic human use and for the environment. Note: Licences are issued under the NWA, and require approval of an application by the Department of Water and Sanitation or the Catchment Management Agency.

A licence does not imply a guarantee relating to the statistical probability of supply, the availability of water or the quality of water as in section 31 of the National Water Act. A licence can furthermore be suspended or withdrawn if the person fails to comply with any condition or entitlement; fails to comply with the NWA or fails to pay a charge which is payable in terms of Chapter 5 (NWA).

Water registration comprises the providing of information that can answer questions, amongst other, about you, where the water is used, how much water is used, what is the source of the water and for what the water is used for. The water uses that have to be registered are:

- The taking of water from a water resource;
- The storing of water;
- Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a water course;
- Engaging in a stream flow reduction activity (commercial forestry);
- Engaging in a controlled activity (irrigation of waste);
- Discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource;
- Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource;
- Disposing in any manner of water which contains waste from, or which has been heated in, any industrial or power generating process;
- Altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a water course;
- Removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground; &
- Using water for recreational purposes.

Water users were requested in the period 1999 to 2001 to register water use. Any registration of water use after 2001 is subject to a late registration fee, except if it is a newly authorised water use in terms of a licence or a General Authorisation. Water use is registered on the WARMS (Water Authorization and Registration Management System). It is a system of the then Department of Water Affairs & Forestry (now known as DWS). Since the end of 2012 the then Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA), now known as BGCMA, has access to the WARMS. The BGCMA is now in a position to register water use and to issue the water registration certificate to the user.

It is important that registered users approached the DWS or BGCMA whenever there is a change in registration details. The DWS or BGCMA can then do the necessary amendment to the water use register to reflect the most recent information. Especially when there is a change in ownership of a property the DWS or BGCMA must be informed by means of a completed form (DW811). There are cases where properties, with registered water use, are sold without informing the DWS or BGCMA. This eventually will have financial consequences for the new owner of the property. A potential owner must always ensure that the water registration of a property is in order it is the responsible thing to do. At this stage, all water uses, besides a Schedule 1 water use, must be registered.

Section 151

Section 151(1)(j) of the NWA, 1998 clearly stipulates that no person may unlawfully and intentionally or negligently commit any act or omission which detrimentally affects or is likely to affect a water resource. If it’s found and it can be proven that a lawful property owner/ occupier is not a lawful water user; - the Department can stop such an activity with immediate effect. It should be noted that the Department can stop any lawful water users who is not using water efficiently or if it’s found that the water use detrimentally impacting on the resource and the reserve.

Any queries from beneficiaries regarding the legislative requirements around water use can be directed to the DWS: Western Cape Regional Office or to the BGCMA:

AREA	INSTITUTION	CONTACT PERSON	CONTACT NUMBER	CEMAIL ADDRESS
Breede-Gouritz WMA	BGCMA	Ms Elmarie van Rooyen	(023) 346-8000	erooyen@bgcma.co.za
Berg-Olifants WMA	DWS	Mr Duke Jephtha	(021) 941-6264	jepthad@dws.gov.za
Berg-Olifants WMA	DWS	Mr Derril Daniels	(021) 941-6189	daniels@dws.co.za
Breede-Gouritz WMA	BGCMA	Ms Elkerine Rossouw	(023) 346-8000	erossouw@bgcma.co.za

The Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA) is lead agent for water resources management within the Breede-Gouritz Water Management Area (BGWMA). The BGWMA is the result of the amalgamation of the Breede WMA and Gouritz WMA. The new WMA is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, what will be the Berg-Olifants WMA to the west, the Orange WMA to the north and the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma WMA to the east.

It largely falls within the Western Cape Province, with a small portion of the upper catchment of the OlifantsRiver in the Eastern Cape Province, and tiny portions of the upper catchments of the Gamka and Groot Rivers falling in the Northern Cape Province.

The Breede-Gouritz WMA includes the catchment areaof the Gouritz River and its major tributaries (the Gamka, Groot and Olifants Rivers), as well as the catchments of the smaller coastal rivers that lie to the east and west of the Gouritz River mouth, the Breede River and the catchments of the smallercoastal rivers that lie to the west of the Breede River mouth i.e. the Palmiet-, Kars-, Sout-, Uylenkraals-, Klein-, Onrus-, and Bot-Swart rivers. There are two large rivers within the WMA, the Breede and Gouritz Rivers.

The Breede River, with its main tributary, the Riviersonderend River, discharges into the Indian Ocean. The Gouritz has three main tributaries, the Groot, Gamka and Olifants Rivers. There are a number of other smaller rivers in the WMA, the Touws, Duivenhoks, Goukou, Hartenbos, Great Brak, Kaaimans, Knysna and Keurbooms.

The BGCMA plays a key role in protecting, developing, conversing, managing and controlling water resources.

Our Mandate is to manage water resources in the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Area and to improve service delivery and the sustainability of water resources.

Our Mission is to manage our water resources responsibly through stakeholder engagement and to devolve decision making to the lowest level for the benefit of all water users in the Breede-Gouritz area.

Ensure quality water for all people and environment.
Ensure good administration of water registration and licensing.
Inspire change in attitudes towards the environment.
The control of water use.
Promote economic growth in a sustainable way
Address the developmental needs of the people and contribute to the eradication of poverty.
Ensure fair, equitable and well controlled water allocation.
Manage the ecosystem in a sustainable manner.
Allow all stakeholders a voice in how we manage our water resources.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) is founded on the principles of the National Government and therefore has overall responsibility for and authority over water resource management, including the equitable allocation and beneficial use of water in the public interest. According to the National Law a person can only be entitled to use water if the use is permissible under the National Water Act.

Chapter 4 of the NWA defines the general provisions, requirements and conditions for water use: - Section 21 of the NWA specifically, lists all the “water uses” whilst Section 22 of the NWA defines the permissible water uses.

For the purposes of the National Water Act, water use includes: (a) taking water from a water resource;
(b) storing water;
(c) impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse;
(d) engaging in a stream flow reduction activity contemplated in section 36;
(e) engaging in a controlled activity identified as such in section 37(1) or declared under section 38(1);
(f) discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer, sea outfall or other conduit;
(g) disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource;
(h) disposing in any manner of water which contains waste from or which has been heated in any industrial or power generation process;
(i) altering the bed, banks course or characteristics of a watercourse;
(j) removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is necessary for the efficient continuation of the activity or for the safety of the people;
(k) using water for recreational purposes.

Section 22 of the NWA defines the permissible water uses which include: “A person may only use water in terms of Section 22 of the NWA, 1998 - (a) without a licence -

I. if that water use is permissible under Schedule 1(defined below);
II. if that water use is permissible as a continuation of an existing lawful use (defined above); or
III. if that water use is permissible in terms of a General Authorization (defined below) issued under section 39;

(b) If the water use is authorised by a Water Use Licence (defined below) under this Act; or
(c) If the responsible authority has dispensed with a licence requirement under sub-section (3).”
NOTE: The first step in the water use licensing process is the determination of the Reserve for that specific water resource. The Reserve is that quantity and quality of water that are being needed for basic human use and for the environment.

Schedule 1 use: In terms of the Act - a person who lawfully owns / occupies a property may take water for reasonable domestic use, water for small gardening (not commercial) and watering of animals (excluding feedlots) if he/she has lawful access to the resource, if the use is not excessive in relation to the capacity of the water resource and the needs of other lawful water users. No application for a licence needs to be made.

General Authorisations: The General Authorization (GA) merely allows for users / potential water users to do certain limited water related works (i.e. abstraction water from a water resource (groundwater or surface (river) water) or storage (dam) in certain areas. These areas are all in the GA that can be made available or a person can download it from the DWS website (www.dws.gov.za). Also note that this is applicable if the use is not excessive in relation to the capacity of the water resource and the needs of other lawful water users.

Existing Lawful Use (ELU) – this allows water use that was lawfully used before the NWA came into effect to continue until it can be converted into a licence using compulsory licensing. Note that the Water Use should have been lawful and it must have been exercised two years prior the promulgation of the NWA.

Note: The first legal requirement that existing lawful water users were asked to fulfil under the NWA, 1998 was to register their water use (existing). The call for Existing Lawful Water Users to register their commercial water use was made in the Government Gazette on 12 November 1999, in terms of Section 16(1) (c) of the NWA. Existing Lawful Water Users were asked to register their water use as it actually took place, on the day of registration that was lawful in terms of the NWA, 1998. Water users should know that registration of water use is not an entitlement and that the water use that was registered should still be verified.

Water Use Licence: All water uses that do not fall under Schedule 1 or GA must be authorized through a Water Use License. The first step in the licensing process is the determination of the Reserve for that specific water resource. The Reserve is that quantity and quality of water that are being needed for basic human use and for the environment.

Note: Licences are issued under the NWA, and require approval of an application by the Department of Water and Sanitation or the Catchment Management Agency.

The taking of water from a water resource;
The storing of water;
Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a water course;
Engaging in a stream flow reduction activity (commercial forestry);
Engaging in a controlled activity (irrigation of waste);
Discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource;
Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource;
Disposing in any manner of water which contains waste from, or which has been heated in, any industrial or power generating process;
Altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a water course;
Removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground; &
Using water for recreational purposes.

Water users were requested in the period 1999 to 2001 to register water use. Any registration of water use after 2001 is subject to a late registration fee, except if it is a newly authorised water use in terms of a licence or a General Authorisation. Water use is registered on the WARMS (Water Authorization and Registration Management System). It is a system of the then Department of Water Affairs & Forestry (now known as DWS). Since the end of 2012 the then Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) (now known as BGCMA) has access to the WARMS. The BGCMA is now in a position to register water use and to issue the water registration certificate to the user.

It is important that registered users approached the DWS or BGCMA whenever there is a change in registration details. The DWS or BGCMA can then do the necessary amendment to the water use register to reflect the most recent information. Especially when there is a change in ownership of a property the DWS or BGCMA must be informed by means of a completed form (DW811).
There are cases where properties, with registered water use, are sold without informing the DWS or BGCMA. This eventually will have financial consequences for the new owner of the property. A potential owner must always ensure that the water registration of a property is in order it is the responsible thing to do.
At this stage, all water uses, besides a Schedule 1 water use, must be registered.

Any queries from beneficiaries regarding the legislative requirements around water use can be directed to the DWS: Western Cape Regional Office or to the BGCMA to either:

AREA	INSTITUTION	CONTACT PERSON	CONTACT NUMBER	EMAIL ADDRESS
Breede-Gouritz WMA	BGCMA	Ms Elmarie van Rooyen	(023) 346 8000	erooyen@bgcma.co.za
Berg-Olifants WMA	DWS	Mr Duke Jephtha	(021) 941 6264	jepthad@dws.gov.za
Berg-Olifants WMA	DWS	Mr Derril Daniels	(021) 941 6189	danielsd@dws.gov.za
Breede-Gouritz WMA	BGCMA	Ms Elkerine Rossouw	(023) 346 8000	erossouw@bgcma.co.za

Septic Tanks vs. Conservancy Tanks
Rainwater Harvesting Tanks
Farmer Information Roadshows

Breede-Gouritz CMA (BGCMA)
51 Baring Street
Worcester 6850

Breede-Gouritz CMA (BGCMA)
101 York Street
George 6530

Breede-Gouritz CMA
Private Bag X 3055
Worcester
6849

Tel: (023) 346 8000
Fax: (023) 347 2012
www.bgcma.co.za

Mr Mogale Sebopetsa
Tel: 021 808 5103
E-mail: MogaleS@elsenburg.com
Fax: 021 808 5251

Name: Mr Mogale Sebopetsa
Telephone No: 021 808-5103
E-mail: MogaleS@elsenburg.com
Fax No: 021 808-5251

Figure 2: Borehole

The Farmer Support and Development Programme (FSD) encompasses the broad development agenda of the Department of Agriculture, therefore the design and implementation are predominantly for supporting smallholder farmers in the Western Cape but does not exclude the commercial sector. This support is to enhance Land Reform programmes through institutional capacity building. Given that the predominant need for the development of an equitable and diverse agricultural sector has been identified, a large part of the budget will be utilised to build the capacity of the historically disadvantaged communities and individuals flowing from the Land Reform programmes.

To ensure sustainable support mechanism for new and established farmers (including land reform beneficiaries).

- To measure the impact of interventions as delivered by the programme;
- To leverage investment from the private sector and commodity grouping;
- To ensure quality and standards of service and advise to farmers;
- To integrate our services with those of municipalities and other government departments with the implementation of food gardens for communities and households; &
- To facilitate skills development for qualifying farmers.

The programme is structured into four (4) directorates, namely:

- Farmer Settlement & Development;
- Extension & Advisory Services;
- Food Security; &
- Casidra

The Programme comprises of eight (8) regional offices spread across the Province, namely: Cape Metropole, Cape Winelands, Swartland, North West Coast, Overberg, Klein Karoo, Garden Route and Central Karoo.

Information at a Glance
Mr Douglas Chitepo
Tel: 021 808 5100
E-mail: Douglasc@elsenburg.com
Fax: 021 808 7629

The purpose of the directorate is to facilitate, co-ordinate and provide support to black smallholder farmers and commercial farmers through sustainable development within agrarian reform initiatives in the Province

Did you know?

The directorate provides the following services:

Farm Assessment report for Land Reform purposes;
Farm Plans to enable the sustainable use of natural resources; &
Support to smallholder and commercial farmers.

Information at a Glance
Ms Carol Levendal
Tel: 021 808 5199
E-mail: CarolL@elsenburg.com
Fax: 021 808 7629

The purpose of the Directorate is to provide extension and advisory services to farmers. The directorate has employed the digital smart pen to assist in monitoring the quality of services rendered to farmers.
The directorate has employed the digital smart pen to assist in monitoring the quality of services rendered to farmers.

Did you know?

The directorate provides the following services:

Farmers' days;
Information days;
Conduct Skills Audits, and
Facilitate the appointment of mentors to assist smallholder farmers through the commodity approach

Information at a Glance
Mr Adriaan Conradie
Tel: 021 808 7674
E-mail: AdriaanC@elsenburg.com
Fax: 021 808 7756

The purpose of the directorate is to support, advice and coordinate the implementation of pillar one of the Integrated Food Security Strategy of South Africa (IFSS).
The directorate contributes directly to alleviation of food insecurity through the delivery of household and community garden

Did you know?

This directorate uses support household food production in communities through the suitcase programme (household food production programme);
Supports Community and School gardens; &
Conduct Food Security Awareness campaigns.

The purpose of the Directorate is to support the Department with project implementation and state farm management.

Did you know?

Casidra is responsible for project implementation for the Provincial Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape.

The Department is implementing the PLAS programme, whereby the Department purchases land and lease it to an identified lessee(s) who will have to go through a beneficiary selection process. To be interviewed as a lessee, applicants will have to be on the Departments’ database. See attached the PLAS application form to be completed and submitted (together with attachments) to be on our database.

Objectives:To acquire and Allocate Strategically located land

Eligibility Criteria

Previously disadvantage farmer
Non public servant
Must fall within the following group:
(a) Agricultural sciences university and college graduates, (b) Agri-business special courses, including NARYSEC participants and (c) managerial and entrepreneurial incubation, learner ships/internship, and (d) agricultural para-professionals. (e) Subsistence farmers: (a) Communal/village subsistence farmers, (b) Municipal commonage farmers mainly livestock farmers, and (c)sustained homestead garden producers.
Further priority, within the target group shall be given to women and the youth who either have basic farming skills or demonstrate a willingness to acquire such skills.
Special attention shall be paid to the youth with experience or qualifications in the field of agriculture

PLAS APPLICATION FORM 28 JULY 2016 2nd Draft updated21.pdf

Application Process
Applicants to be complete in the attached application form Submit to the Worcester/ Stellenbosch Office at 15 Market Street After submission of application forms to offices, the office will confirm that applicants are on the database

When the Department acquire land, applicants will be notified and invited to be interviewed as a potential lessee of the farm acquired.

Please note that potential lessees for our PLAS farms are being identified and interviewed based on the type of commodities they are farming and matched with the type of farms being acquired by the Department. With other words, if the Department acquires a livestock farm and it matches your skills, meaning if you are a livestock farmer, you will be identified on the database as such and will thus get an opportunity to be interviewed to become a potential lessee of the farm.

Project Officer: Lorato Manyetse
District Manager: Vanessa Frantz
Tel: 021 887 7448

The Department also implements the 1HH 1HA programme that focuses mostly on poverty reduction and where support is provided to smallholder producers at a household level. This programme applies to State owned land and land reform farms

Previously disadvantage farmer
Non public servant

Eligibility criteria
The target group for One household One Hectare shall be the previously disadvantaged persons who are South African citizens raciallyclassified as Africans, Indians and Coloureds.

(a) Farm dwellers and occupiers defined in terms of the Extension of Security tenure Act 62 of 1997;

(b)Communal/village subsistence farmers/Households;

(d) Land restitution claimants;

Any individual households residing on State land or communal areas.

(f) Land Reform beneficiaries who benefited from the Land redistribution programme and have access to Land acquired in terms of Act

126, held by CPIs or individuals.

(g) Public servants and their spouses shall not qualify to benefit from One household One hectare programme in terms of the Policy.

Application form
See attached the 1HH 1HA application form to be completed and submitted (together with attachments) to be on the Departments’ database.

One HH One H Beneficiary Information Form.pdf

OfhaniNetshitakani
Tel: 023 342 0202

Objectives: To reduce household poverty in accordance with CRDP

Provide household poverty research and analysis
Facilitate household profiling in CRDP sites and Land reform projects
Facilitate household progress tracking out of poverty on the CRDP sites
Manage household poverty database and information pertaining to CRDP

Project Coordinator: Mr L.T George
Tel.: 0214090300

Project Officer: Ms Inge Cook
Tel.: 021 887 7448

Project Officer: Ms Siphesihle Nene
Tel.: 021 887 7448

Project Officer: Mr M Petane
Tel.: 0214090300

Objectives: To promote rural business development and facilitate rural development financing

Manage small business development finance
Manage small business education and skills training

Project Coordinator: Mr L.T George
Tel.: 0214090300

Project Officer: Ms Inge Cook
Tel.: 021 887 7448

Project Officer: Ms Siphesihle Nene
Tel.: 021 887 7448

Project Officer: Mr M Petane
Tel.: 0214090300

Objectives: To facilitate establishment and support op primary cooperatives

Receive referrals
Identify- establishers and registers
Set up internal/ coop governance, compliance, constitution
Facilitate access to training
Support production
Provide ongoing support to primary coop

Project Coordinator: Mr L.T George
Tel.: 0214090300

Project Officer: Ms Inge Cook
Tel.: 021 887 7448

Project Officer: Ms Siphesihle Nene
Tel.: 021 887 7448

Project Officer: Mr M Petane
Tel.: 0214090300

Objectives: To facilitate the development of rural enterprises and industries

Agro-processing (Agri-Parks)
Village markets
Manufacturing
Relationships with commodity groups
Facilitate engagement with regional and national economic growth agencies

Project Coordinator: Mr L.T George
Tel.: 0214090300

Project Officer: Ms Inge Cook
Tel.: 021 887 7448

Project Officer: Ms Siphesihle Nene
Tel.: 021 887 7448

Project Officer: Mr M Petane
Tel.: 0214090300

A municipality is mandated to create an enabling environment for emerging farmers in conjunction with other government departments such as the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Rural Development and Land reform. As facilitator with regards to small farming initiatives Municipalities aim to focus on red tape reduction, introducing and exercising appropriate regulations and management systems and lining organized groups to resources.

A dual approach is followed focusing on achieving household food security (poverty alleviation and improved nutrition) on the one hand and on the other hand the creation of income (economic development).

At a secondary level, the municipality also acts as a catalyst which includes, inter alia, the provision of commonage land/ outspans and leveraging support for construction of infrastructure.

Whilst the constitution does not oblige municipalities to undertake land reform, municipalities are obliged to participate in national land reform programmes to achieve municipal developmental objectives.

Research indicates that municipalities have largely opted to deal with the issue of municipal commonage through their existing Supply Chain Management policies relating to the Management and Disposal of Assets. In terms of this process, the key legislation applicable is:

Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act (No 56 of 2003), Section 14 &
Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act – Asset Regulations.

The conditions in the title deed of the land in question also needs to be taken into account, as commonage land has often been donated to the municipalities in trust for the community by churches, and may have specific conditions attached.

Adopt a Public Open Space Guideline:

Public Open Space means land which is under or will be under the ownership of a local authority, which is not leased nor will be leased on a long term basis, and which is utilised or will be utilised as an open space or a park, garden, picnic area, playground or square and includes a public place.

Adopt a Public Open Space” is an initiative by Council to enable members of the public, industries or companies to adopt an open space area at no cost to the applicant. The “adoptee” would be responsible to clear the area of alien vegetation and rubble as well as to maintain or landscape the area with indigenous vegetation or by engaging in sustainable livelihood projects such as communal or home food gardens. The adoptee may advertise its involvement in this initiative on site, subject to certain conditions.

The main reasons for this initiative are to encourage the public to take care of the Environment by:
1. Combating alien vegetation which in some communities has posed as a danger (rape and murder).
2. Combating illegal dumping which has a financial implication to the municipality and a health risk to the community.

Note that Municipalities also refer emerging farmers to other departments with programs that will be able to assist.

Funding Model and how farmers can access the funds

No funding available from the municipality. We only facilitate and refer the emerging farmers to departments like Agriculture, Casidra etc.

Contact details (if there is a general contact for the Western Cape)

No general Western Cape contact. Each municipality deals with the issues differently.

Note: the above information is general and not necessary applicable to all Municipalities. Each municipality deals with emerging farmers in a unique way to ensure effective service delivery. For more information on Local Municipal assistance to your need, feel free to contact your local Municipality.

The African Farmers Association of South Africa was launched on the 12th of April m2011 by 3000 founding members from all nine provinces of South Africa, who were formally NAFU-SA members.

The launch of AFASA is the culmination of a yearlong consultation process with developing farmers country wide to determine their need for an official structure that represents their interests. As part of the consultative process, a national convention of African Farmers held in Bloemfontein in December 2010 adopted a new constitution, structure and a five-year-strategic plan. After the convention, district and provincial structures were launched between 18 January and 5 April 2011.

Leadership was democratically elected in the provinces using the constitutional guidelines adopted by the convention. The final stage was the founding conference of AFASA which was held in Boksburg, Gauteng on 10-12 April 2011, during which the farmers formally adopted the name African Farmers’ Association of South Africa AFASA) and the founding constitution as well as elected and appointed national leadership.

The African farmers’ association of South Africa Organisation AFASA aims to commercialise the developing agricultural sector and ensure meaningful participation of black individuals within the mainstream commercial agribusiness sector, henceensuring the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector in South Africa.

Vision

To have competent and successful commercial African farmers of South Africa.

Mission

To facilitate the development of African farmers in order to increase their meaningful participation in the agricultural sector.

To create a sustainable united body of African farmers with capacity to influence policies through lobbying and advocacy in favour of African farmers;
To facilitate development of competencies of African farmers in order for them to participate meaningfully in formal and informal markets; &
To mobilize resources for the benefit of African farmers.

AFASA like any other organisation is a collection of individuals who come together for a common purpose. It is therefore crucial that AFASA espouses what it stands for in order to attract those similar values. AFASA commits itself to the following values:

To be led by people of high integrity in order to create trust, loyalty and confidence amongst its members employees and the public:
To be transparent and accountable at all times:
To maintain high levels of professionalism at all times:
To respect the rights, culture and dignity of its members, employees and the public regardless of gender, race, class, tribe, political and religious affiliation or belief:
To be a farmer centred organisation:
To ensure that the organisation remains true to its mission and objectives: &
To strive for excellence including efficient and effective service provision at all levels.

Contact Peron: Mr Ismail Motala, E-mail: afasawcape@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Department Water and Sanitation
Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency
Department of Water & Sanitation: Berg-Olifants Proto CMA
Western Cape Department of Agriculture
Department of Rural Development & Land Reform
African Farmers Association of South Africa

The farmer support package is part of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology research project entitled: Approaches for Emerging Farmer Participation in Water Resource Management: The case of the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA), Western Cape. The project was funded by the Water Research Commission (Project No.K5/ 2310). Private Bag X03, Gezina, 0031, South Africa.