We are a river

ReNOKA is an inclusive and holistic movement to protecting and conserving the natural resources of Lesotho and the Orange-Senqu River Basin as a whole.

The Movement

ReNOKA is an Integrated Catchment Management movement, which calls on all who live in the Orange-Senqu River Basin to take action to protect our natural resources.

ReNOKA is a multisectoral and multidisciplinary custodial network of critical agents dedicated to the restoration of water, land, and the long-term prosperity of all communities in Lesotho and the wider Orange-Senqu River Basin.

Derived from Sesotho, re noka translates to ‘we are a river’. We are all interconnected. We are a vital and fluid element of a greater cycle.

Our Objectives: Theory of change for ReNOKA

01

Developing and applying an effective and efficient, gender-sensitive and climate-resilient policy framework for Integrated Catchment Management.
02

Establishing effective and efficient institutions for Integrated Catchment Management, with equitable representation of women and youth.
03

Facilitating capacity, skills and knowledge of public, private sector and civil society for sustainable Integrated Catchment Management.
04

Implementing Integrated Catchment Management measures.
05

Strengthening capacity for coordination, monitoring, supervision and general programme management.

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Key Statistics

4 500 tonnes

of Lesotho's fertile topsoil are lost every hour

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95% of all water demand

in the Orange-Senqu River Basin is from South Africa

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Lesotho provides more than 40%

of the Orange-Senqu River Basin's annual flow, from a land base of only 3%

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Key terms and definitions

What is ICM?

Integrated catchment management (ICM) is a holistic approach that recognises the catchment as the appropriate organising unit for understanding and managing ecosystem processes in a context that includes social, economic and political considerations, and guides communities towards an agreed vision of sustainable natural resource management in their catchment.

What is a catchment?

A catchment is the natural drainage basin that collects runoff. The geographical topography, like a mountain range or a depression, determines the boundary of the catchment and funnels rainfall, snowmelt and water towards a collection point, which usually culminates in a river..

Lesotho’s three main rivers are the Senqu, Mohokare and the Makhaleng, representing three main catchments. These three rivers are fed by many smaller tributary rivers and streams, each with their own sub-catchments.

What is a wetland?

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Healthy wetland systems play a role in climate regulation through carbon cycling; absorption of toxins; flood control/erosion reduction; maintain groundwater levels; and play a large role in water purification (particularly in urban and agricultural areas). Wetlands are also home and a support system for a wide range of plants and animals.

The wetlands of Lesotho are quite distinct both floristically and structurally from those found in other parts of the region. The soils and vegetation found in these wetlands are different from those found in the surrounding areas.

What is mountain restoration?

Mountains occupy about a quarter of the Earth’s land, harbour most of its biodiversity hotspots and supply fresh water to an estimated half of humanity.

Mountain regions are particularly sensitive to degradation from both human pressures and climate change. Steep slopes mean the clearing of forest for farming, settlements or infrastructure can cause serious soil erosion as well as the loss of habitat. Erosion and pollution harm the quality of water flowing downstream. Climate change threatens the quantity and timing of water supplies to farms, cities, industry and power stations. Fast-rising temperatures are forcing mountain species, ecosystems and the people that depend on them to adapt or migrate.

Restoring mountain ecosystems means considering whole landscapes. Nature-based solutions, including increased forest cover, can conserve soil, safeguard water flows and guard against natural disasters such as avalanches, landslides and floods. Infrastructure such as dams and roads can be planned to avoid fragmenting rivers and other habitats. Farming techniques such as agroforestry can be more resilient in the face of changing weather patterns. Indigenous knowledge can be a vital resource in keeping the use of natural resources sustainable.

What is action?

Action means doing something for a particular purpose. ReNOKA has put together a plan to achieve its purpose (building a resilient river basin through Integrated Catchment Management), which consists of five practical steps that need to be taken over the next three years.

What is advocacy?

Advocacy is a form of communication used to influence a specific audience for a development outcome.

The objective of the advocacy campaign may be to influence or change a policy, change behaviour, alter the balance of power or reform an institution.

In the case of ICM, we are advocating for land and water systems to be managed holistically and our advocacy centres on engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders across regions and sectors to work together for the shared prosperity of the catchment.

ReNOKA’s focus for 2021, and beyond

As we build and develop the ReNOKA movement, our initial attention will be directed towards formulating and implementing a policy framework; scientific exploration and research; educating our various stakeholders about our current situation and empowering them with skills and knowledge to take action as custodians of this movement; as well as communicating our message in innovative ways.

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Stay informed

We are a river. By working and acting together, we will succeed in restoring land and water in Lesotho and the Greater Orange-Senqu River Basin.

ReNOKA has a series of stakeholder engagement opportunities planned for the coming months. Join us at one of these events to learn more about ReNOKA’s activities within the Orange-Senqu River Basin, and what role you can play. Or, complete one of our surveys to ensure your voice is heard.

Explore our calendar for more details.

Find out what's on

Helping nature recover
Read his story
Collective problem solving to combat climate change
Read her story
ReNOKA has identified six sub-catchments
View the Reports

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This ReNOKA programme was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Government of Lesotho and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.