The Limpopo River basin is located in a region classified as arid to semi-arid, where water resources are under huge pressure from the environment alone, even before human development demands are factored in (CGIAR 2003). Therefore, water is seen as a limiting factor in development in the region (CGIAR 2003).
The hydrology of the Limpopo River basin is discussed in the following terms:
While this section of the Limpopo River Awareness Kit includes a great deal of information on water resources in the basin, these data have been collected from different national and international agencies, primarily for the preparation of the Joint Limpopo River Basin Study Scoping Phase Report (2010). This report is the necessary precursor to the completion of a comprehensive resource assessment that should take place during the development of a basin-wide plan for the Limpopo River basin. Data gathered and harmonised for this exercise will likely provide a more complete and holistic picture of the water resources of the basin.
THE MOTLOUTSE RIVER, UPSTREAM OF THE CONFLUENCE WITH THE LIMPOPO RIVER. SOURCE: DIPERNA 2009
The water resources of the Limpopo River basin are shared by four countries, with significant portions of each country and national populations contained within the basin boundary. Estimates of the country area and populations within the basin are shown in the table below.
Summary of country-area and population of riparian states within the Limpopo River basin.
Country
Area in Limpopo River basin
Percentage of Country in the Basin
Population in the Basin*
Percentage of Country Population in the Basin*
Percentage of Basin Population
Botswana
81 400 km²
20
1 000 000
59
7
Mozambique
79 800 km²
20
856 466
5
6
South Africa
184 150 km²
45
10 700 000
24
79
Zimbabwe
62 900 km²
15
1 000 000
9
7
Total
408 250 km²
13 556 466
Adapted from FAO 2004; IUSS 2006
*2001 Census Adapted from LBPTC 2010; Leira et al. 2002
The water resources of the Limpopo River basin support a large population and significant economic activities, including mining and agriculture, all of which depend on water for survival and growth.
