The LRB, like most other basins in the region, is grappling with sedimentation, which poses significant threats to the river’s ecology, water quality, and downstream communities. Effective and collaborative sediment management among the four Limpopo countries of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe is thus critical to mitigate the challenge. 

The field workshop held on the Limpopo mainstem as well as the Elefantes River on 15-19 September, builds on a similar training conducted in March 2025 along the Olifants sub-catchment in South Africa. 

Both workshops are part of the broader initiative, the “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin,” project being implemented by the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) in partnership with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA). The project is supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). 

At the workshop, participants were equipped with practical tools and methodologies to monitor sediment transport, assess river health and contribute to evidence-based decision-making. One of the key highlights was the introduction of the Water Sonde (YSI EXO3 Probe), a cutting-edge multiparameter instrument designed for monitoring water quality in diverse environments. The workshop also explored source-to-sea sediment-related aspects at the river mouth at Xai-Xai. 

LIMCOM lead consultant for sediment monitoring, Dr. Benjamin van der Waal, said the long-term impact of the training is to develop a critical mass of trained experts who can address the challenge of sedimentation in the basin for the present and future generations. 

“Member States representatives have been capacitated to train other people and next generation of trainers,” he said. 

His statement reflects the project’s commitment to building a sustainable knowledge base that extends beyond the project timeline and well into the future.  

LIMCOM Member States representatives expressed strong support for the capacity-building initiative, recognizing sediment monitoring as a cornerstone of integrated river basin management.  

“The training has empowered us to support resource management and make informed predictions for the future,” Mr. Kaene Abidile from Botswana said. 

His sentiment was echoed by Ms. Martha Gler from Mozambique who said: “We will use these skills and data to inform national decision-making and assess the health of our river.” 

Mr. Stanford Macevele from South Africa highlighted the importance of compliance and accountability in sediment monitoring saying, “we will apply the tools acquired during our training to ensure compliance with the agreements signed by the basin states.”  

Ms. Miriraishe Muzanenhamo from Zimbabwe also underscored the value of regional collaboration, noting that “the peer learning will allow LIMCOM Member States to harmonize their sediment monitoring.” 

LIMCOM’s Senior Technical Advisor, Dr. Ebenizario Chonguiça reaffirmed the commission’s strategic vision of a dynamic, prosperous, and sustainable river basin for all. 

“Through these initiatives, we aim to facilitate the institutionalization of sediment monitoring across the four Member States,” he said, adding that it is important to “embed sediment monitoring into national and regional frameworks for long-term sustainability.” 

As the LRB continues to face pressures from climate change, land use, and population growth, initiatives like these capacity-building workshops are vital for equipping Member States with the tools and knowledge to respond effectively.  

The success of the capacity building workshops in Mozambique and South Africa signals a growing regional consensus on the importance of sediment monitoring, not just as a technical exercise, but as a pathway to shared prosperity and sustainable development. 

For more information, please contact the LIMCOM Secretariat at (communications@limpopocommission.org) coping Mr. Sergio Sitoe at sbsitoe@limpopocommission.org

About the project:

The “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin” project seeks to achieve integrated, cross-sectoral, ecosystem-based management of the Limpopo River to uplift the living standards of the basin’s population and conserve the basin’s resources and ecosystem services. It is being implemented in the four countries that share the Limpopo namely Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.