De Hoop Dam Management Committee charts course for sustainable ecotourism
SEKHUKHUNE
The Project Propeller Unit (PPU) of the Sekhukhune Development Agency (SDA), is entering a critical and instructive period of sustained activity, advancing towards the public participation process with the inauguration of the Dam Management Committee (DMC).
With ongoing high-level consultations involving the senior management of Elias Motsoaledi and Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipalities, the project is gaining momentum, demonstrating a commitment to a structured and credible engagement process.
The recent guided tour of De Hoop Dam for municipal senior management further solidifies efforts to conclude all necessary stakeholder engagements ahead of the final public participation session.
As the primary driver of the Implementing Agent (IA) role entrusted to SDA, the PPU ensures controlled access to De Hoop Dam and its surrounding state-owned land for recreational and ecotourism purposes.
This mandate is firmly grounded in Section 113 of the National Water Act 36 of 1998, which underscores the necessity of sustainable water resource utilization, community involvement, and environmental stewardship.
Recognizing the importance of local leadership in this process, the PPU has identified the need to capacitate ward committees from both Elias Motsoaledi and Fetakgomo Tubatse.
These sessions are designed to equip local representatives with the knowledge and tools required for effective governance, stakeholder engagement and socioeconomic advancement.
Furthermore, the outcomes of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Strategic Planning Session, held last month, has informed stakeholders with the finalization of a workshop date for their ward committees.
These initiatives go beyond mere consultation as they aim to ensure that all core role players in both municipalities are genuinely empowered to interpret and implement the details of the De Hoop Dam Resource Management Plan (RMP).
The upcoming public participation session, set for 18 March 2025 as part of the De Hoop Dam Communications Week, will be a culmination of these efforts, providing a platform for informed and constructive stakeholder engagement.
Additionally, the Office of the Speaker in Elias Motsoaledi has been engaged to coordinate the participation of ward councilors and ward committees from Wards 15, 16, and 30, in an exclusive workshop.
This initiative aligns with the directives of the De Hoop Dam RMP and ensures that local leadership is not only well-informed but also actively involved in shaping the future of De Hoop Dam and its associated development initiatives.
The PPU urges all stakeholders to maximize their participation in this process, notably, for a shared vision for a well-managed, economically viable and environmentally sustainable De Hoop Dam.
The PPU stated that the initiative is set to forge a path towards inclusive growth, responsible governance, and long-term prosperity for the people of Sekhukhune.
