Implementing the PAWS Model of capacity building in South Africa

Partners for Water and Sanitation (PAWS) is a trisector capacity building programme that supports the development of capacity for improved water and sanitation services in three African countries. The PAWS programme in South Africa, started in 2004, has supported a number of incountry partners at local, provincial and national spheres of government in areas including water quality laboratory accreditation, water demand management, contract management and customer services. Experience of working with a range of municipalities and government agencies has identified lessons relevant to the future of the PAWS programme, which are also relevant to other such capacity building initiatives operating in similar countries.