South Africa: Water Roadmap Collective Action Project
Driving measurable impact through the restoration and protection of water systems for food production in South Africa's Western Cape.
The Water Roadmap Collective Action Project restores and protects water systems for food production in South Africa, a major global fruit supplier that is important to the UK’s fresh produce supply chain, providing around 20% of its total citrus and grapes. South Africa’s Western Cape region plays a critical role, also exporting apples, pears and stone fruit. But climate pressures like prolonged drought and flooding are disrupting harvests and supply chains.
Working with WWF South Africa, local landowners, suppliers and community members, we’re taking collective action to improve water systems in South Africa's fruit-growing areas to secure the future of local farms - directly supporting the UK Food and Drink Pact's goal to restore catchments to good ecological status and protect shared water resources in key fresh produce sourcing regions.
Our impact in South Africa 2023-2025
Download the Collective Action Project Impact Summary for South Africa
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Social Impact
Over 100 new local jobs created for water restoration activities.
This project has supported local communities by creating over 100 jobs to restore water systems, bringing income for those affected by environmental and economic challenges.Image: WWF -
Environmental Impact
10,000+ native trees and shrubs planted and 2,500 ha more land protected.
Clearing water-thirsty invasive plants has improved water availability and biodiversity. Native species replanting and the protection of more land are helping restore ecosystems and secure water for farming and nature.Image: WWF -
Economic impact
£1 million of funding unlocked for on-the-ground action.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts from the Project-funded Catchment Coordinator, new investments from local government and private partners are driving long-term capacity building and operational impact.
Environmental Impact
Agriculture uses nearly 70% of the world's freshwater, and water availability has been strained in the Western Cape by the changing climate and invasive plants that use up more water than they should.
Through the valuable work of local organisations and the Water Roadmap-funded Catchment Coordinators, 300 ha of invasive plants like Eucalyptus and Acacia were cleared over 2 years, freeing up to 200L of water from each adult tree cleared. Over 10,000 native trees and shrubs were replanted and reseeded across the area, helping restore the natural ecosystem and boost water availability downstream for communities and farmers.
Funding has also been provided to develop a new Water Balance Tool, that helps farmers measure and monitor water use and ensure environmental flows are maintained. This is supporting generational landowners to lead by example in sustainable farming and environmental stewardship, bringing an additional 2,500ha of land under biodiversity protection in the Twee Rivieren Nature Reserve for sustainable water management.
Economic impact
The Catchment Coordinators, supported through the Collective Action Project, act as vital connectors between funders, government and NGOs. In 2023/2024, the coordinators helped secure £500,000 in new funding for operational activities, with a further £500,000 committed by the South African Department of Agriculture and private funders for 2025/2026.
The project continues to build local capacity by upskilling workers through more employment opportunities and expand water stewardship activities that strengthen both livelihoods and long-term water security for agriculture across the Western Cape.
"Supported through the WRAP and WWF partnership, the Catchment Coordinators have strengthened Water Users Associations by aligning water use with ecological priorities, while creating a platform for collaboration among diverse stakeholders. This partnership has built the capacity to mobilise resources, coordinate restoration projects, and secure long-term water resilience in the catchment." – WWF South Africa
Why we're working in South Africa
As a top importer of South Africa's fresh produce, UK food and drink businesses across the supply chain have a strategic interest in supporting the restoration and protection of water systems for food production – critically in the Western Cape.
At the heart of this important fruit-growing region lies the Strategic Water Source Area, a network of rivers providing nearly all of Western Cape’s freshwater which sustains local agriculture. But these water systems are under increasing pressure, resulting in risks to supply. Climate change is causing longer droughts and more intense floods, while invasive, non-native tree species are drying up the rivers that surrounding farms and communities depend on for water supply. Although conditions have stabilised in recent years, long-term risks to water security, biodiversity and fresh fruit supply remain.
Through this targeted Collective Action Project, we’re working with local organisations, farmers and communities in South Africa to:
- Restore rivers to improve water flow for agriculture and reduce flood risks across the Strategic Water Source Area
- Clear invasive vegetation such as Eucalyptus and Acacia and replant native species to boost biodiversity and water availability
- Support better water management and data sharing across the catchment through the development of new tools and workshops
- Strengthen local livelihoods through employment linked to water restoration and ecological health for agriculture
"The impact was environmental yes, but the biggest impact was on the social side as these people didn’t have food on the table at the time. The process was led by people in the community who have an interest in the health of their environment and integrates the concept of responsible agriculture. It was done through a comprehensive problem-solving process that integrated social, economic and ecological concerns over a defined geographical area. The community wants to achieve a sustainable outcome for its people in the community, and we would not have been able to do that this year without the input from WRAP."
Project feature: Restoring the Upper Breede River to improve water availability
The Upper Breede River is a vital source of water for agriculture and local communities in South Africa’s Western Cape. As part of the Water Roadmap Collective Action Project, water availability in the area has been restored, creating 1,389 days of employment for youth and women experiencing joblessness to clear invasive plants that used up high levels of water, replant indigenous vegetation to restore the natural ecosystem and protect valuable agricultural land.
(Image: WWF)
Where we're working in South Africa
Locally led, globally supported
Action to protect water resources in South Africa
Locally led action is at the heart of this collective project. Through the UK Food and Drink Pact’s Water Roadmap, WRAP and WWF South Africa are funding and working with growers, communities, and local partners such as Water Users Associations. With a shared responsibility for sustainable water management in the Western Cape, we are safeguarding the natural resources needed for food production by taking collective action to restore and sustain water availability.
"The Catchment Coordinator role has shown great benefit in every catchment where it has been embedded. Supported through the WRAP and WWF partnership, it has strengthened Water Users Associations by aligning water use with ecological priorities, while creating a platform for collaboration among diverse stakeholders. This partnership has built the capacity to mobilise resources, coordinate restoration projects, and secure long-term water resilience in the catchment."
Help restore and protect water in South Africa
Join the Water Roadmap
The Western Cape in South Africa should be a thriving lifeline for nature, food production and local communities. Now is the time to restore it. We invite every business that benefits from the region to step up, champion water stewardship across their supply chains, and support the next phase of this Collective Action Project.
In partnership with our Collective Action Project funders for South Africa:
- AM Fresh
- Aldi
- ASDA
- Bakker Barendrecht
- BerryWorld and PrepWorld
- Co-Operative Group
- Direct Source International
- Edeka
- Eosta
- Lidl
- Marks and Spencer
- Morrisons
- Ocado
- Sainsbury’s
- Tesco
- Waitrose
- Worldwide Fruit