Featured
Mendy Shozi: Water’s Importance Cannot Be Overstated
Water is scarce, wasted, and taken for granted. It is also a vital source of life and dignity. Mendy Shozi, President of the South Africa Youth Parliament for Water and project manager at Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association, is in her words “water...
Featured
Navigating Resistance: Overcoming Barriers to Regulatory Reform in South Africa’s Water Sector
Introducing new regulations often meets with resistance, and the water sector in South Africa is no exception. Regulation 3630 is an example and stems from various sources, including institutional inertia, stakeholder interests, and socio-economic factors....
Featured
Making Every Drop Count In Gqeberha
Droughts are not new to Gqeberha (formerly called Port Elizabeth). Located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, Gqeberha experiences a semi-arid climate with erratic rainfall, making it prone to periodic water scarcity. This has inspired a unique partnership...
Featured
Reducing Risk and Building Trust with Bureau Veritas
A world leader in testing, inspection and certification services, Bureau Veritas operates in agri-food, industry, commodities as well as building and infrastructure markets. Water is a critical resource across all these sectors, and as its quality declines, water...
Driving change: Minister Senzo Mchunu’s roadmap for water reform
Minister of Water and Sanitation – Senzo Mchunu – sat down with Kirsten Kelly to discuss municipal service delivery, key projects and of course, National Water Month. This year’s World Water Day is observed under the theme, ‘Water for...
Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto’s water and soil
By Lesego Khomo For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg’s estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium (a...
The hydrogen economy is alive and well in South Africa
South Africa is making significant strides in developing its hydrogen economy, with a strong focus on community engagement and economic upliftment. A pilot project in Masia Village, Limpopo, showcases the potential of integrating cutting-edge...
Luvside brings vertical wind turbines to South Africa
German company Luvside launched a pilot project in the V&A Waterfront featuring four 1kW small-scale wind turbines. These drag-style turbines are seen as a more aesthetic option coupling that with their ability to capture wind from all angles...
Cambridge researchers break new ground in green cement
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found a way to make cement that’s good for the planet. This new cement, called Cambridge Electric Cement (CEC), could change how we build and help fight climate change. It has the potential to...
How Did Yesterday’s Elections in South Africa Unfold?
South Africa’s elections have always been a cornerstone of our democracy, and yesterday marked the most significant elections since 1994. For many, voting is not just a privilege but a profound responsibility. Despite various challenges, this...
Sustainability
Coca-Cola launches JAMII, its new sustainability platform in Africa
Today, Coca-Cola Africa Operating Unit (“AOU”) and its bottling partners announced the launch of JAMII, the new Africa-focused sustainability platform. The platform houses the Company’s existing and new sustainability initiatives. Through this...
Big manufacturers need to redesign their ‘circular’ economy
Last year saw the UK government call on all businesses to sign up to the globally recognized UN Race to Zero Climate Commitment, by pledging to go One Step Greener during COP26. With 45% of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from the way we...
Making roads climate-resilient and sustainable
In the wake of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), attention has once again focused on how best to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It is...
SANBWA applauds plastics industry for commitment to recycling
South Africa’s plastic recycling industry was severely challenged but delivered figures that are to be applauded. This is the opinion of South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA) CEO, Charlotte Metcalf, who listed the major...
Hydrate and recycle – take care of your health and the environment these holidays
In a few weeks, many South Africans will set off for their annual holiday. Sensible travellers will ensure their beach bags and hiking rucksacks contain sunscreens and hats to protect them and their families from the summer sun, and water to slake...
OPINION | Waste Not, Want Not
According to the CSIR and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s “Food waste prevention and management – A Guideline for South Africa”, Johannesburg residents on average, throw away 12kgs of food per person per year. By...
Industry News
Construction site security an ongoing challenge
It has been said that every construction site is a crime scene waiting to happen. Not only are these properties relatively empty after working hours, but those left unoccupied for extended periods owing to work stoppages are even more vulnerable to...
Water boards to be reviewed to enhance service delivery
In a bid to enhance the service delivery of water and sanitation in the country, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu said the country’s water boards are to be reviewed. Mchunu made the announcement on the last day of the Northern...
SANRAL invests more than R1.2 billion in Matatiele road construction
The Eastern Cape town of Matatiele is set to benefit from road construction and maintenance projects worth more than R1.2 billion. According to the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) Southern Region’s Regional Manager, Mbulelo...
Water
Metro News
Department calls for reduced water consumption amid dwindling water levels
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Water and Sanitation has reiterated its plea to residents to use water sparingly. This comes as this week’s dam levels report has shown yet another decline in the province’s levels from 55,5% to 54,9%. One of the...
Infrastructure News Round Up | 25 September 2020
Infrastructure News Round Up brings you all the latest news making headlines in infrastructure, water and sanitation and waste management, in just 90 seconds. In this weeks installment: Department of Water and Sanitation calls for responsible water...
Groundwater brings relief to Karoo town
Groundwater specialists from SRK Consulting have assisted Prince Albert Local Municipality in the Karoo to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of groundwater to local communities at Leeu Gamka. According to Ashley America, manager...
Engineering
Government is not doing enough to fast track development, shows survey
The results of two surveys conducted nationwide in November by the South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI) are the latest in a number of surveys conducted over the past year with Built Environment professionals in the private sector, that confirm...
CESA highlights the importance of value in the quest for quality and sustainable infrastructure
Each year, World Quality Day aims to increase worldwide awareness of the important contribution that quality makes towards both organisational and national growth and prosperity. Falling this year on 12 November, the 2020 theme was Creating...
CESA celebrates engineering excellence
The country’s leading built environment professionals gathered on 11 November for the 2020 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards, hosted virtually for the first time. This year’s awards, sponsored by Aon South Africa, celebrated innovation,...
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Water & Sanitation Africa
The official magazine of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), the magazine publishes content dealing with the supply, governance, financing, treatment and measurement of water and sanitation in southern Africa.