The paper makes an analysis of effective stakeholder
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participation in water management in
Zimbabwe, which was facilitated by the enactment of a new Water Act in 1998. Prior to the
promulgation of the act, water management was the responsibility of the central government
through the Ministry of Water. Attempts to involve stakeholders in water management issues had
been done through the establishment of River Boards which were however not compulsory and
also covered parts of some catchment areas. These were composed of a few people with interest
in water issues, drawn largely from large-scale commercial farming areas. The majority
indigenous population was disenfranchised with respect to accessing agricultural water. The
study was conducted by means of a case study of Manyame catchment for the period March
2002 to March 2005. The analysis focuses on functions and responsibilities assigned to the
institutions according to the new Water Act as well as their capacity in relation to information,
knowledge and technical ability for the period. Results from the study reveal that while legislation
has attempted to involve the previously marginalized groups in water management issues, this
has not resulted in their meaningful participation in water management issues. This situation calls
for the present government to revisit the issue of water governance in order to facilitate full
participation by all stakeholders.