Yesterday, on World Water Day, South Africa reflected on its longstanding struggles with water provision amid ongoing infrastructure failures, contamination issues, and massive losses through leaks.
The country has encountered several high-profile water crises in recent years. In 2018, Cape Town narrowly averted “Day Zero,” a scenario that would have made it the first major city in the world to run out of water. Hammanskraal continues to face a prolonged battle against water contamination, with residents still dealing with unreliable and unsafe supplies stemming from issues like the failing Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant. More recently, Gauteng has experienced intermittent water cuts attributed to system and infrastructure collapse, compounded by an estimated 2.5 billion litres of water lost daily due to leaks.
These challenges highlight broader problems in water quality and management across many parts of the country, often linked to degrading infrastructure and a documented skills gap in water management and engineering.
The Stellenbosch University Water Institute (SUWI) has been actively involved in research and collaborative efforts with government and other stakeholders to address these water-related issues. Project Manager Manuel Jackson discussed the institute’s contributions in a recent interview.
Jackson emphasized that one of the major current challenges is water quality standards, which have been compromised in many areas due to deteriorating infrastructure. He highlighted the critical need for skills development, particularly among youth and professionals, as well as ongoing capacity building for managers to make informed decisions in water management.
The institute has played a significant role in addressing the skills pipeline by training professional staff, municipal managers, and teaching staff at colleges. It has supported improvements in infrastructure, such as the erection of horticulture greenhouses for climate-smart agriculture practices in areas like Namakwa district, other parts of the Western Cape, Limpopo, and a recent launch in Polokwane at the Capricorn TVET College.
SUWI has also contributed to curriculum development to tackle emerging challenges, including growing technologies, and has facilitated training for staff and students at colleges. Jackson pointed to exciting collaborations, such as the Strategic Water Partners Network.
Partnerships are vital for driving innovation and implementation at societal, institutional, and organizational levels. The institute has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with entities including Ugu Water Board, Umgeni Water, Rand Water (with a recent steering committee meeting at a Rand Water pump station), the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority, the Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority, various municipalities, and AfriSA. Internationally, collaborations extend to SADC partners, including a recent workshop at the University of Science and Technology in Namibia, as well as EU partners like RIA Technical University and Mendel University.
As the National Water Crisis Committee finalizes a water action plan, Jackson urged policymakers to prioritize implementable policies supported by well-trained, grounded managers and a solid institutional framework. He stressed the importance of involving all role players, including civil society, through a whole-society approach to ensure effective policy implementation.
With South Africa’s water security remaining under pressure from ageing systems and capacity constraints, initiatives like those from the Stellenbosch University Water Institute underscore the value of targeted skills enhancement, collaboration, and practical interventions in building resilience for the future.
