Since the early 1990s, the focus of water resources management shifted from technology
transfer towards decentralised and user centred approaches. These emphasized
stakeholder participation and local organizational development in the form of water user
institutions (Clyma, 1989; Dube and Swatuk, 2002; Manzungu, 2004; Kujinga, 2002).
During this time period, a number of southern African countries such as Malawi,
Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, embarked on water
reform processes (Kujinga and Manzungu, 2004). The government of Zimbabwe
introduced stakeholder participation in water resources management through the 1998
Water Act [Chapter 20:24], which replaced the 1976 Water Act. The concept of
stakeholder participation was limited to a minority under the 1976 Water Act. The major
aim of this study was to analyse the dynamics of stakeholder participation in the
agricultural sector during the first five years of the water reform process in Zimbabwe.
Specific reference is made to water allocation, conflict management and the payment of
costs related to water use. Data presented in this study was collected through the
administration of a standard questionnaire to stakeholders from the agricultural sector,
and by conducting unstructured interviews with various government officials and
representatives of the Middle Manyame Subcatchment Council and attendance of
stakeholder meetings. The major findings of the study are: (1) the majority of
stakeholders in the agricultural sector do not have knowledge about water management
transformation (2) stakeholders in the agricultural sector are not participating in water
allocation (3) the majority of irrigators are not paying for water, nor participating in
determining the rates that should be paid (4) stakeholders in the Middle Manyame
Subcatchment Council have not had an opportunity to resolve water issues. The study
recommends that the water reform process be communicated to all the stakeholders,
enabling them to effectively participate in water resources management. The other
conclusion reached in this study is that stakeholders from all categories should be
organized at the grassroots level, to allow for participation in water allocation and
conflict management.