Thukela-Vaal Transfer Scheme - Feeding the hungry heartland

Abstract

Water History Feeding the hungry heartland Thukela-Vaal Transfer scheme: Thirty years on, the Thukela-Vaal Transfer Scheme, which pumps millions of litres of water from the resource-rich Thukela catchment up and over the Drakensberg escarpment to the water-stressed Vaal, is still regarded as one of South Africa’s engineering marvels. Compiled by Lani van Vuuren. Lani van Vuuren The 1960s were a decade of unprecedented economic growth in South Africa. Between 1962 and 1967 the average growth rate in the production of services and goods was 6,3%. Most of this growth was in the economic heartland of the country (then known as the Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vereeniging complex). As economic growth took place the demand for water grew. The area received most of its water from the Vaal River system, which was by then already a hard working river.

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