Policy Brief // Lessons from WEF governance - Inclusive living landscapes with thriving communities
This policy brief explores WEF nexus governance in South Africa through a dual lens: insights from multidisciplinary scholars and the lived experiences of rural communities. It emphasises the critical need for transdisciplinary collaboration that integrates local knowledge, ensuring that solutions address the realities of vulnerable households.
Summary
The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus offers an integrated approach to managing growing demands for water, energy and food. However, implementing WEF nexus solutions often involves competing resource claims, which can deepen inequalities and challenge social justice.
This policy brief explores WEF nexus governance in South Africa through a dual lens: insights from multidisciplinary scholars and the lived experiences of rural communities. It emphasises the critical need for transdisciplinary collaboration that integrates local knowledge, ensuring that solutions address the realities of vulnerable households.
While moderate progress has been made in water and food security, energy security lags significantly behind. Policies like land restitution have improved food access but could be at the expense of water and energy, revealing the interconnected nature of these systems. Social protection programmes, such as indigent support, provide temporary relief but fail to address systemic inequities.
Challenges include insufficient cross-sectoral collaboration, limited integration of indigenous and conventional governance systems and inadequate community participation in decision-making. Promising pathways include:
▪ Strengthening local decision-making structures
▪ Expanding social protection
▪ Establishing public-private-traditional partnerships
▪ Improving inclusivity, particularly for women and youth.
South Africa’s policy frameworks, including the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act and the Just Transition Framework, provide opportunities to align governance with community needs. Integrating African customary law and leveraging sustainable practices can further enhance resilience and social justice. By fostering decentralised governance, embracing digital tools and aligning actions with the National Development Plan 2030, WEF governance can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Key Recommendations
1. Develop a comprehensive legal and policy framework for WEF governance
2. Foster inclusive participation and capacity building
3. Strengthen collaborative governance across sectors
4. Centre decision-making at the community level
5. Leverage transdisciplinary collaboration and local knowledge.
Published
2025