| With the increasing shortage of water resources and surging water demand,South Africa-centric transboundary river has been one of zones where water resources conflicts appear.The conflicts between South Africa and neighbors over transboundary water resources trace back to late Bantu Society when all kingdoms and ethnic groups compete for water resources.During the colonial period,in the context of exploration of diamond and gold mines and technology introduction,conflicts between colonists and aborigines,as well as conflicts within colonists broke out.Since the 1960 s,the colonial system in South Africa began to collapse,national boundaries increasingly clear and awareness of water right gradually arousing.Post-colonial era become centralized eruption period over water conflicts due to basin countries all compete for resources.Furthermore,the evolution of water conflicts has been deeply affected by the apartheid in South Africa,cold war,different attitudes across South Africa towards colonial heritage and interference of international organization.Since the late 1980 s,the South Africa government began to face the issue of water conflicts.As a regional power and economic leader,South Africa has combined its advantages with regional development opportunities,and make full use of economic and technological supercity.In the process of getting rid of political isolation,South Africa has gradually transferred as the leader of exploration and management of transboundary water resources by establishing bilateral or multilateral dialogue channel,assisting establishing mediation organizations and attracting non-government organizations.With the efforts of the South African government,effective progress has been made in the mediation of water conflicts,the water security environment has been improved,the diplomacy of neighboring countries has gradually deepened,and international status has risen unprecedentedly.Though problems still exist in South Africa ’s countermeasures,such as low credibility,inadequate mechanism flexibility,and poor implementation,South Africa’s response to the mediation of cross-border river water conflicts in other parts of Africa still has reference significance.Throughout the interaction between South Africa and neighboring countries,it is characterized by the preference of the South African government,long-term maintenance of low-level interaction levels,and the formation of "low conflict-medium cooperation" interactive effects.South Africa and neighboring countries will further the development of transboundary rivers,and the shortage of water resources will continue.At the governance level,the overall watershed organization is less likely to achieve “upgrades”.Sub-regional management agencies represented by the Lesotho Highlands Authority and the Komati River Authority will be expected to become key development agencies.Development compensation and ecological protection will become a key governance area. |
