This priority is to address issues around the regulation, governance and control of the use, development, conservation and management of water throughout the value chain within the context of the relevant legislation. To facilitate access to water for historically disadvantaged groups a process of compulsory licensing was undertaken in a number of areas including Tosca, Jan Dissel and Mhalthuze. Reports have been completed which will lead to redistribution and final water use authorisations. In an effort to improve the issuing of water use licenses to various water users, the Department has established a dedicated backlog eradication programme, known as Letsema. Since the inception of Letsema, 3 358 applications dating from 2001 to 2010 have been finalised, leaving a backlog of 549 applications.