WWF Sanlam Partnership rises to SA's freshwater challenge

WWF, the conservation organisation and financial services group Sanlam
today launched a partnership to promote wise management of the country's
marine and freshwater resources. The WWF Sanlam Living Waters Partnership
will see Sanlam investing over R15 Million in marine and freshwater
initiatives over the next five years.

At a lunchtime debate the two organisations brought together industry,
government and the private sector to discuss the critical importance of
water management in the social development and economic growth of South
Africa.

With some 98% of South Africa's water resources currently allocated and a
conservative estimate that South Africas demand for freshwater will exceed
its supply by 2025, the partnership emphasised the need for urgent and
immediate action.

Further damage to this vital resource could trigger massive social,
economic and environmental damage and scupper South Africas quest for a 6%
economic growth.

"Water is South Africa's most precious resource and its wise management is
one of the most crucial factors that will affect social development and
economic growth in our country," Dr Deon Nel, manager of the partnership,
emphasised. He went on to add that this will hit the countrys poorest
rural communities hardest and thus requires decisive, cross-sectoral
intervention.

For Dr Johan van Zyl, Chief Executive Officer of Sanlam, who holds a PhD in
Agricultural Economics, this is a matter close to his heart. "The wise
management of our water resources and ecosystems will affect us all, from
the richest to the poorest. For the richest it may simply affect profit
margins. For the poorest, it may literally be a matter of life and death.
Sanlam views this as a crucial investment and, as a prominent and
responsible South African company, we will certainly leverage further
support for this important issue that will dramatically affect the
well-being of our country and its people."

Nel said South Africa's dire water situation rarely enjoys the prominence
it should in economic and developmental planning at all levels. In fact, he
says, the primary policy guiding South Africa's economic development, the
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA), makes no
mention of this key restraint to growth, or the need to carefully manage
our rainfall catchments and improve the water-use efficiency of industry
and agriculture. Examples of this oversight abound everywhere one looks,
from the local to national level.

"Just look at the uncontrolled local urban development and plethora of
water-sapping golf estates, or listen to national government strategies
promoting the growth of new crops of sugar cane, a water intensive crop,
for the production of biofuels," says Dr Nel.

Speaking at the debate, Barbara Schreiner, former Deputy Director General
for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry said: "South African water
laws are amongst the most progressive globally, particularly in relation to
the protection of the right to water and the need to ensure water for the
environment. The challenge to all South Africans is to work together to
ensure that the vision contained in that legislation can be realised,
particularly in the face of increasing economic growth, which will place an
ever-greater demand on scarce water resources. Within that, a particular
challenge is to ensure that the needs of the poor and the marginalised, and
of the environment, are met."

In line with this the WWF Sanlam Living Waters Partnership is aiming to
secure commitment from the private sector, civil society and the government
around common goals for wise management of the countrys freshwater and
marine ecosystems.

The partnership will focus its work around key focal areas that include:

* Empowering communities to participate effectively in the wise management
of their water resources;
* Building skills to implement new laws and developing environmental
champions;
* Building sustainable industries and private enterprises that utilise
their aquatic resources wisely and efficiently; and
* Empowering consumers with the knowledge to drive environmental change.

"Work in these areas will be guided by WWF's sound scientific research and
will focus on sustainable use of our natural resources," explains Dr Nel.

He adds: "The association between WWF and Sanlam will extend beyond a
purely financial relationship. We will be working closely with Sanlam to
improve their sustainability practices, as well leverage Sanlams
leadership position in corporate South Africa to influence environmental
practices and attitudes."

In addition to this partnership, Sanlam and WWF is also involved in a
marine partnership aimed at helping to secure the long-term diversity and
productivity of South Africas marine resources.