Eswatini, SA sign reviewed water sharing treaty

Eswatini and South Africa have signed the revised KOBWA Treaty yesterday on the development and utilisation of water resources of the Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA).

The treaty was signed by Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela and his South African counterpart Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina.

The signing ceremony was held at Maguga Lodge in the presence of KOBWA board members, officials from both countries and Eluvinjelweni Umphakatsi.

The main aim of the reviewed treaty is to broaden KOBWA’s mandate to complement the two government’s efforts in providing water services to their citizens.

Prince Lonkhokhela said the revised treaty ensures that the Komati Basin Water Authority continues to play its vital role as the operational arm supporting the Joint Water Commission.

He said it strengthened the governance framework of the authority, clarified institutional roles and positioned the organisation to respond effectively to emerging challenges such as climate variability, increasing water demand and the need for sustainable basin management.

“Transboundary water cooperation is never a simple task. It requires trust, continuous dialogue and a shared commitment to equitable and sustainable use of resources. The successful review and signing of this treaty demonstrates that when nations work together in goodwill and mutual respect, solutions can always be found,” he said.

The minister further appreciated the Joint Water Commission, the Komati Basin Water Authority, the technical and legal teams from both countries and the offices of the attorneys general of Eswatini and South Africa for their dedication and professionalism throughout this process.

He stated that it was a timely moment for the two nations to reaffirm their shared commitment to the sustainable management of water resources, particularly when water security remained as one of the most pressing development challenges.

He added both the Eswatini and South Africa continued to experience increasing pressure on water resources as a result of climate variability, population growth and rising economic demand.

He went on to say that it was most fitting that both countries also acknowledged His Majesty King Mswati III and the late president Nelson Mandela, whose foresight and statesmanship gave birth to this initiative and laid the foundation for the cooperation witnessed now.

Meanwhile Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina said the main benefits of the cooperation between Member States and construction of the two dams include optimisation of the utilisation of water resources from the Komati system, while recognising the rights of Mozambique.

Majodina added that by revising the treaty the two countries were being mindful of the SADC Protocol on shared watercourses, which reinforced the need for cooperation between Member States sharing a watercourse.

“We are aligning our cooperation with international standards on governance including the king’s governance principles to ensure transparency and accountability. The old treaty limited KOBWA to ‘Phase One.’

“This revision removes those ‘shackles,’ allowing the authority to expand its mandate and provide broader water-related services,” she explained.

On the other hand, she said KOBWA’s vision is financial independence, stating that both governments were moving toward a self-sustaining KOBWA, aiming for reasonable self-funded operational costs, gradually reducing the burden on national treasuries.

Majodina said they also envisioned an organisation that attracted top talent and provided innovative solutions to the evolving water sector.

The ministers further committed their support to the Incomati-Maputo Water Commission (INMACOM) as the new institution established to promote cooperation between the three parties (Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa) to ensure the development, protection and sustainable utilisation of water resources shared by the Member States.

Additional Context

The Komati Basin is one of the key shared water systems in Southern Africa. Agreements between Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique help regulate water distribution, dam operations and long-term water security in the region. The revision of the KOBWA Treaty is expected to strengthen regional cooperation as climate change and population growth increase pressure on water resources.