Ahead of Nonhlakanipho Tau’s keynote speech at the WISA2024 conference, Water and Sanitation Africa sat down with her to get a better understanding of her work and what to expect from her at the conference.  Nonhlakanipho Tau is the Director of infrastructure assessment and analysis and director of infrastructure assessment and analysis at the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA). She is a professional civil engineer who has many years of working in the management of infrastructure in the public sector and state-owned entities. Her current interest lies in research on aligning g ..read more

Professor Loreta Feris does not mince her words, the water sector needs to change its approach to regulation if it sincerely wants to “turn the tide.” By Duncan Nortier Prof Feris has had a vast career starting with her BA in law at Stellenbosch in 1988, leading her on a 28-year career path that includes working in UCT teaching and learning, language and social responsiveness committees, as well as working in several roles at the Washington College of Law, American University, Washington DC in the United States of America. She is currently the vice-principal academic, at the University of Pret ..read more

Continuous electro deionisation (CEDI) is a water treatment process that uses a combination of ion-exchange resins, ion-exchange membranes and direct current to continuously deionize water without the need for chemicals. This is used to produce ultrapure water. Ionpure first commercialised CEDI for water purification in 1987. Since then, the company has continued to evolve and bring out new technologies. It has undergone a number of transitions and was recently acquired by Xylem, while trading under the name Evoqua Water Technologies. Evolution of deionisation Deionisation is typically the la ..read more

With the era of large dam building having peaked in South Africa in the 1970s and many dams reaching their 50th anniversary, there is a growing focus on the correct and timeous maintenance and rehabilitation of the country’s dam infrastructure. Concrete can develop cracks, spalling and other forms of deterioration over time due to exposure to environmental factors like temperature fluctuations, movement, moisture, and chemical reactions. “The concrete structures of many dams have undergone a natural ageing process over the decades,” comments Dr. Frank Denys, Technical Specialist: Dams at leadi ..read more

Professor Hamanth Kasan, president-elect of the International Water Association (IWA) opened the #WISA2024 conference with a keynote speech titled, “Turning the Tide: Global perspectives for sustainable water and sanitation services delivery” highlighting how South Africa can use international best practice to achieve its water goals. Prof Kasan is a long-standing member and Senior Fellow of WISA and has been actively engaged in the water and sanitation sector for the past thirty-five years, locally, continentally and globally. He has acquired a unique blend of skills, knowledge and expertise ..read more

A catchment management agency (CMA) is responsible for managing water resources at the catchment level. Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu announced the launch of four catchment management agencies that will oversee the major water catchments in South Africa. A catchment is a basin-shaped area of land, bounded by natural features such as hills or mountains from which surface and sub-surface water flow into streams, rivers and wetlands. Catcgments are the first point of contact in the water value chain, they are the source of water that bulk suppliers extract from. Where we are This ..read more

Enza Civils, a division of Enza Construction, is strategically positioning itself to play a pivotal role in addressing South Africa’s pressing infrastructure needs in the water, transport, and energy sectors. As the country grapples with significant infrastructure challenges, Enza Civils stands at the forefront, ready to provide essential solutions. Coen Naicker, Divisional Director at Enza Construction, along with Civils Contracts Directors Riaz Cassoojee, Ian Ferguson, and new team member John Hopewell, shared key insights into the company’s future, outlining an optimistic long-term outlook ..read more

The WISA Gauteng Branch (WISA-GP) has launched the MentWorking Project in Gauteng. A combination between MENToring and networking, the project will connect water professionals of all ages and provide a platform where younger professionals can learn, and experienced professionals can help shape the future of the South African water sector. Networking has always been core to WISA’s service offerings, and the results from the 2022 WISA Members Satisfaction Survey identified mentorship as the second most desired offering by WISA members. Ultimately, the vision for the MentWorking Programme is that ..read more

Unless updated and reset, prepaid meters (electricity, water and gas) will not accept new prepaid credit tokens after the 24th November 2024. By Duncan Nortier As we march forward to the deadline, Infrastructure News once again sat down with Dr Silas Mulaudzi, a sustainable energy specialist for The South African Local Government Association (SALGA), to get updated information on where the country sits with their prepaid meter updates. “In layman’s terms; current prepaid metering software used by utilities around the world will expire after 24th November 2024. Pre-paid meters must be reset and ..read more

The role of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in South Africa’s Just Energy Transition will be strengthened by an innovative partnership led by the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) and the Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Centre (CCIEEC). “This programme not only seeks to establish a comprehensive renewable energy education and industry system in the country’s TVET colleges but also to enhance the international standards of South African TVET colleges over the next five to ten years,” comments Mpho Mookapele, CEO of ..read more