Drought disasters, vulnerability, severity, preparedness and response to the water sector: A comprehensive model approach for water governance and policy in South Africa

Abstract

Droughts are severe climate-related disasters that significantly impact water resources, agriculture, ecosystems, and communities, causing widespread damage. This review delves into the vulnerability, severity, preparedness, and response to drought disasters, focusing on water governance and policies in response to increasing water shortages. The study used documentary and content analysis to examine the existing water policy framework, based on peer-reviewed articles and government technical-based and strategic documents from water departments. South Africa's water governance and policy structures face challenges due to topographical complexities, limited land, climate change, bureaucratic hurdles, reactive government approaches, limitations in water law and policy framework documents, and persistent inequalities. These studies reveal research gaps in ecosystem-based drought adaptation and indigenous practices, emphasizing the need for inclusive knowledge generation and improved drought management coordination to address social vulnerability. The SWOT analysis reveals strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of current water governance policies, providing practical solutions for drought preparedness and sustainability. The findings reveal that South Africa's water scarcity is not solely due to climate change but also political negligence, institutional factors, and inadequate coordination of drought relief programs, indicating significant preparedness and response gaps. Accordingly, this study proposes a comprehensive model for managing drought disasters and improving water resources to mitigate water shortages and climate change impacts, advocating for a governance culture that promotes holistic and adaptive approaches to sustainable development goals (SDGs). In conclusion, two enablers of transformational governance and transformative policy approach in the water sector serve as key policy modifications for sustainable and equitable water resources management.