Does South Africa's water law and policy allow for climate change adaptation?

The South African constitution enshrines the right to water for the well-being of its people. Recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and governmental reports show that this will be endangered by climate change. Recent high-resolution hydro-climatic model outputs give cause for further concern. Additionally, the South African Government is under pressure to implement progressive new water regulations; shift its overall water management approach; deal with skills shortages at all institutional levels; and cope with immense disparities and, hence, vulnerabilities within society. South Africa therefore faces huge water challenges in the coming years. This article questions whether the country's regulatory frameworks and laws on water sufficiently support adaptation to climate change. Furthermore, questions are raised on incorporating climatic and other uncertainties into decision-making processes. It is concluded that South African water law and regulatory systems do offer sufficient flexibility and openness to cope with an adaptive and participatory management approach. This may lead to a progressive management era when current weaknesses and threats are addressed through self-reflection by all actors, as well as through building on cultural differences and incorporating the most recent research findings and other relevant information.