Ubuntu, Women’s Water Rights and Access to the Blue Economy in South Africa

This chapter explores the transformative potential of Ubuntu feminismFeminism in addressing the entrenched inequalitiesInequality of women’s water rightsWomen’s water rights and their access to the blue economy in South AfricaSouth Africa. Amidst three decades of democracy, the promise of gender equality and equitable resource access remains unfulfilled for many South African women, particularly in rural and coastal communities. By integrating the principles of Ubuntu—a philosophy emphasizing communal well-beingCommunal well-being, interconnectedness, and mutual care—with a feminist critique of systemic gender disparitiesDisparities, this analysis offers a novel lens through which to examine and address these issues. We explore the historical context of water legislationHistorical context of water legislation and marine resource management in South Africa, highlighting how colonial legacies and neoliberal policies have perpetuated inequalities. The chapter argues that Ubuntu feminism, with its focus on collective rights and responsibilities, presents a radical departure from individualistic approaches that dominate current legal and policy frameworks. Through a detailed examination of water rights allocation, land reform, and the management of marine resources, we illustrate the gaps and opportunities for applying Ubuntu feminismFeminism to achieve more equitable outcomes. The chapter also employs an intersectionalityIntersectionality lens to emphasize the challenges faced by black South African womenBlack South African women, advocating for policy reforms that recognize and address the diverse needs and oppressions within these communities. The chapter concludes by calling for a reimagined approach to governance and societal organization in South Africa, one that aligns with Ubuntu feminist principles to ensure that women’s rights to water and participation in the blue economy are not only recognized but fully realized. This work contributes to the broader discourse on gender equality, decoloniality, and water justice, offering insights and strategies for leveraging indigenous philosophies in the pursuit of a more just and equitable societyJust and equitable society.