created by the department of water and sanitation dws in the wlsg is not a formal decisionmaking forum but a platform aiming at sharing information fostering a common vision influencing policy and building consensus members include highlevel representatives from relevant government departments such as cooperative governance and traditional affairs environmental affairs agriculture energy human setdements mineral resources trade and industry as well as the planning commission the presidency and national treasury other members include water institutions such as catchment management agencies water boards and water users associations