Exploring social processes in transformation: the case of a collaborative water partnership in South Africa

We explore the social processes supporting transformation towards collaborative water governance in uMngeni catchment, South Africa. Using Holling’s adaptive cycle as a heuristic of phases (conservation, release, reorganisation and exploitation) present during social-ecological systems, we consider role learning, power, agency structure each phase evolution Ecological Infrastructure Partnership (UEIP). The UEIP is partnership between government, research institutions, civil society groups that facilitates broader more participation management. During conservation phase, strong control power institutional (denoted by hierarchical mode embodying regulation State) limited introduction new ideas reinforced single-loop learning. release was triggered shock which weakened permitted thereby enabling double-loop changing conditions gave rise to protean (defined results practices agile actors coping with uncertainty) enhanced key who began mobilise others rapid re-organisation. Triple-loop learning evident exploitation were better able accommodate innovative ideas, emerge. found helpful for delineating change, while four multi-faceted proved useful illuminating dynamics change. This understanding may help inform actions steer transformations sustainable Africa elsewhere.