The Giyani Local Scale Climate Resilience Programme: Building Climate Resilience Through Water Innovation

In the water-scarce landscapes of Giyani, Limpopo Province, climate change poses a severe threat to rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity.

- By Benson Ntlemo

Increasing droughts and erratic rainfall have intensified water scarcity, jeopardising food security and economic stability for local communities. For years, Giyani has been described as being “permanently on ‘Day Zero’”, underscoring the critical need for sustainable water solutions. This relentless pressure impacts the marginalised, the rural poor, and often creates further gender imbalances, exacerbating existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities.

In response, the Water Research Commission (WRC), with financial backing from the Government of Flanders, launched the Giyani Local Scale Climate Resilience Programme (GLSCRP) in 2022. This initiative delivers innovative, sustainable water solutions tailored to local needs. The programme empowers communities by improving access to reliable water sources while promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. Through the strategic implementation of solar-powered boreholes, advanced hydroponic farming techniques, and smart irrigation systems, the GLSCRP addresses the dual challenges of acute water scarcity and profound climate vulnerability.