Assessing the state of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in South Africa

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is gaining recognition internationally as an intersectoral approach to resource management and sustainable development. The Water Research Commission (WRC) of South Africa has identified the WEF nexus as one of its focus “lighthouse” areas of research. This project was part of the WRC’s goal to promote the WEF nexus in South Africa. The general aim of the study was to conduct a review of available information and knowledge about the Water-Energy-Food nexus in South Africa. Specifically, to conduct a state-of-the-art literature review on past, present and ongoing work on the WEF nexus focusing on current status, potential, challenges and opportunities for intersectoral WEF Nexus planning. In addition, to propose a framework for linking the WEF Nexus to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), paying emphasis on SDG 2, 6 and 7. Lastly, this would culminate in developing a draft research agenda to guide future research and develop on the WEF nexus for South Africa. Much of the WEF nexus information that has been produced has a regional SADC focus. South Africa, however, has many opportunities to implement WEF nexus thinking in resource management. Solar power generation, water reuse and recycling, and precision agriculture are examples of opportunities that could contribute to intersectoral optimisation. For South Africa it is imperative that the WEF nexus approach be closely aligned with the SDGs, particularly to SDGs 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation) and 7 (affordable and clean energy). A diverse set of challenges hinder the effective implementation of the WEF nexus in South Africa. As a developing country, South Africa’s primary focus is on alleviating poverty, inequality, and corruption while attempting to increase economic growth. Secondly, resource management and policy development are generally sector-specific with little acknowledgement of adjacent sectors. Thirdly, data related to the three sectors, and especially their interactions, are frequently unavailable, inaccessible or unusable due to scale, unit or temporal differences. Further, WEF nexus implementation will be subject to its inclusion in national policies and standards, implying the integration of the water, energy and agricultural departments.