The Basin

The Limpopo River basin is located in southern Africa, encompassing portions of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The Limpopo River basin faces a number of challenges, especially water scarcity.

The Limpopo River Awareness Kit (RAK) is an information and knowledge management tool for the Limpopo River basin, to support capacity development and the sustainable management of the environment and resources within the basin.

The Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM), in line with the SADC Water Sector, is committed to the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management.

Botswana

Overview

Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated countries in southern Africa, with just 1.9 million people living in the country; many of whom live in the larger urban areas, including Gaborone, Francistown and Molepolole. Water is a very important resource in Botswana, so much so that the national currency is called the Pula – or rain. While Botswana lives in a fine balance of water availability/scarcity, it is blessed with significant natural resources, including precious stones and metals, most notably diamonds.

In the Limpopo River basin the majority of the area is considered to be rural. There are six administrative districts found within the basin: North East; Central; Kgatleng; South East and parts of Kweneng. The main urban centres within the basin are Serowe, Selebi-Phikwe, Palapye, Mahalapye, Francistown, Mochudi and Gaborone (capital city) (LBPTC 2010).

Key Indicators and Data

Sources: Central Statistics Office (2006), Limpopo Basin Permanent Technical Committee (2010), World Health Organization (2008), International Monetary Fund (2009) Globalis GVU UNEP (2009), World Factbook (2009), BBC Monitoring (2009), UNHDR (2008).

Mozambique

Overview

Mozambique stretches 2 470 km along the southeast coast of Africa. Within its border 25 large rivers break up the landscape on their way to the Indian Ocean, one of which is the Limpopo River.

Mozambique became independent from colonial rule on 25 June 1975.

An estimated 1.3 million people live in the Limpopo River basin in Mozambique. The majority of the population is found in the province of Gaza, mainly concentrated along the coastal areas of Xai-Xai and the village of Chokwe The province on Inhambane also falls in the basin and the average population growth of Inhambane and Gaza provinces is 2.2 % (LBPTC 2010).

Key Indicators and Data

Sources: Republic of Mozambique (2010), Limpopo Basin Permanent Technical Committee (2010), World Health Organization (2008), International Monetary Fund (2009) Globalis GVU UNEP (2009), World Factbook (2009), BBC Monitoring (2009), UNHDR (2008).

South Africa

Overview

Following the first democratic, free and fair elections, held in 1994, numerous changes were made to legislation in order to correct the injustices of the past. One of the most fundamental changes in the political landscape, particularly from an economic and environmental perspective, was the Water Act (1998), which shifted ownership of water rights from the individual to the state, who act as custodians for the people. While the economy of South Africa is by far the largest in southern Africa, with steady growth since 1994; the government is subject to increasing demand for water to meet the needs of the population and the key economic sectors, while faced with limited, if not dwindling water resources.

There are four water management areas found in the Limpopo River basin in South Africa: Limpopo WMA, Luvuvhu and Letaba WMA, Olifants WMA and Crocodile (West) and Marico WMA (LBPTC 2010). With the exception of the Crocodile (West) and Marico WMA, the majority of the population is rural and the distribution of wealth is very uneven.

Key Indicators and Data

Sources: Statistics South Africa (2001), Limpopo Basin Permanent Technical Committee (2010), World Health Organization (2008), International Monetary Fund (2009) Globalis GVU UNEP (2009), World Factbook (2009), BBC Monitoring (2009), UNHDR (2008).

Zimbabwe

Overview

Zimbabwe is a land locked country located in southern Africa that hosts the Victoria Falls among its many natural attractions. Zimbabwe boasts a literacy rate of above 90 %, one of the highests in Africa, and there are three officially recognised languages: English, Shona and Ndebele.

The Limpopo River basin in Zimbabwe is defined by Mzingwane River basin and stretches across nine districts: Umzingwane, Mangwe, Matobo, Gwanda, Beitbridge, Insiza, Mberengwa, Mwenezi and Chiredzi. Land use in the upper Mzingwane River basin consists mostly of commercial farming while communal land and subsistence agriculture are practiced in the lower basin.

Key Indicators and Data

Sources: Central Statistics Office (2010), Limpopo Basin Permanent Technical Committee (2010), World Health Organization (2008), International Monetary Fund (2009), Globalis GVU UNEP (2009), World Factbook (2009), BBC Monitoring (2009), UNHDR (2008).

First Chapter: The River Basin >