Johannesburg, 14 November 2024 – The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) hosted an insightful webinar titled "Skills for a Water-Wise Future: Blending Innovation with Indigenous Wisdom", bringing together thought leaders to explore sustainable water management solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Expert Panel and Key Discussions

Moderated by Hilton Bartman, CEO of All Core Water, the event featured prominent voices from across sectors:

• Sylvain Usher, Executive Director of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AWSA), shared strategies for combining traditional and modern approaches to improve water and sanitation access across Africa.
• Petunia Ramunenyiwa, Chief Director of Sector Transformation and Provincial Governance at the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), discussed the role of intergovernmental collaboration and policy in fostering sustainable water solutions.
• Professor Bongani Ncube, SARChI Chair in Governance and Economics of Water and Sanitation Sector Institutions, emphasised the need for strong economic and governance frameworks to ensure long-term water sustainability.
• Rhulani Shingwenyana, Senior Researcher at the CSIR, highlighted advancements in membrane processes and wastewater treatment technologies as pivotal for enhancing Africa’s water resilience.

Indigenous Knowledge Meets Modern Innovation

Central to the discussion was the challenge of providing reliable water access to rural communities. Bartman stressed the importance of blending indigenous knowledge systems with cutting-edge technology, pointing out that only 24% of Sub-Saharan Africa has consistent access to clean drinking water.

Mpho Mookapele, CEO of EWSETA, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to preserving and integrating indigenous wisdom in water management strategies:

“As stewards of this vital resource, we cannot ignore the value of indigenous knowledge. Preserving and applying this wisdom is essential to our future.”

She urged stakeholders to collaborate on actionable programmes that merge traditional practices with technological advancements to create sustainable solutions for South Africa’s water challenges.

A Call to Action

Mookapele concluded with a call for cross-sectoral partnerships, highlighting the potential for indigenous knowledge custodians and experts to make a transformative impact:

“By uniting our expertise and involving the custodians of our indigenous knowledge systems, we can foster a transformative impact that resonates beyond borders and help conserve this scarce resource.”

The webinar discussions will guide EWSETA’s development of actionable programmes aimed at addressing water issues across the region.

Watch the Webinar

To view the full webinar, click here: Skills for a Water-Wise Future: Blending Innovation with Indigenous Wisdom

Press Release Submitted By

Organisation: Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA)
Website: www.ewseta.org.za

Total Words: 392

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EWSETA Calls for Water-Wise Innovation
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