Awareness and Communication Strategy 9.3 Politicians Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians and councillors. The institutions where these politicians work are also the pillars of the SADC and its regional institutions. This target group should be reached because it approves what regional institutions should do. They are also responsible for incorporating provisions of regional and international instruments in their spheres of influence and mandate. 9.4 Government Technocrats Technical experts within relevant departments especially departments of water affairs and River Basin Commissions, Authorities, and Joint Committees. Examples include engineers, hydrologists, climatologists, economists, sociologists as well as government extension workers who have direct contacts with other target audiences such as water users. These are normally linked to SADC programmes through the Water Resources Technical Committee (WRTC) Members and other departmental representatives to other subcommittees or project steering committees. They are a strategic point for further dissemination of information within a Member State. Where network organisations or groupings exist such as Global Water Partnership (GWP) country entities (CWPs), the Departments of Water Affairs’ ability to disseminate information is further enhanced especially in reaching grassroots levels. This target audience should be reached because it is very pivotal in implementing the aspirations of the SADC Water Vision and the Regional Water Policy as well as the corresponding Strategy. There are a number of areas covered by the three instruments that needs interventions of other sectors which includes agriculture, energy, environment, health, etc. The extension workers are in a better position to reach out to the farmers and other water users. They are in close contact with communities and, in most cases, they are change agents that are respected and accepted by communities. 9.5 Private Sector/Civil Society Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Water Service Providers and the entire business and private sector. The Regional Water Policy and Regional Water Strategy contain provisions which specifically call for NGOs and the Private sector to play certain roles in advancing the water agenda. The private sector and NGO institutions should be reached because they play a pivotal role in regional cooperation and integration in water resources management. NGOs also play an important role especially at grassroots level, hence their involvement and empowerment on issues outlined in this Strategy is vital. The service providers include government agencies involved in water supply, sanitation and hygiene, NGOs and Water Utility Companies. They should b reached because they generally play an implementation role in putting up water supply schemes to communities. Service providers are responsible for the actual delivery of water to the recipient communities thus have a big role to play in ensuring equitable access and utilisation of the resource. Page 40