The MoU, signed during the stakeholder engagement event held at UMP, is expected to strengthen provincial water and sanitation resilience through groundbreaking research and innovation. This collaboration aims to bolster water research capabilities, foster innovation, and provide sustainable solutions to the province's pressing water and sanitation issues. The partnership also seeks to tackle the broader water-related challenges faced by the region.
As a knowledge partner, UMP will play a catalytic role in the WRC because of its inherent knowledge generation and transfer role. The University will also institutionalise the knowledge and skills transfer, and future programmes will be informed by the evolving needs of the province.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Professor Aldo Stroebel, said UMP as an engaged university has many partnerships, which have enabled the institution to thrive and reach greater heights.
“These partnerships provide an enabling framework and an enabling environment within which we can position ourselves, but find the key strategic engagements which we should focus on.
They enable the institution to position itself strategically and to identify key areas for engagement. We believe that UMP has a critical role to play in addressing water challenges and sustainability issues in Mpumalanga.”
Professor Stroebel further added: “The strategic importance of this agreement is that it establishes a foundation for future collaborations and strengthens the environment for co-investment, extending beyond the University's resources and those of its partners. This is just the beginning of a long journey."
WRC CEO Dr Molwantwa took part in media interviews after the signing of the MoU.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the WRC, Dr Jennifer Molwantwa, remarked on the importance of UMP’s role in the partnership.
“Over the past year, we’ve had several engagements with key stakeholders, including UMP. Through this MoU, UMP will serve as a vital knowledge partner, facilitating the generation and transfer of knowledge,” she said.
Dr Molwantwa further explained that the collaboration would guide and coordinate research and innovation efforts, drawing on existing expertise while also producing new research outputs.
"This agreement will enhance the province's water sector capabilities and contribute to sustainable solutions for its water challenges. The MoU within itself is packed in terms of the work that UMP will take forward,” she said.
Mr Sydney Dhlamini from the Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA) echoed these sentiments, describing the MoU as a significant step forward.
"We are confident that this collaboration will help us achieve our shared goals. The MoU provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and practice. As KOBWA, we believe that long-term water sustainability is crucial, and this partnership will be instrumental in addressing those needs," he said.
Some of the partners present at the signing of the agreement included the Department of Water and Sanitation Mpumalanga (DWS), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA), and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
Discussions on the day explored solutions to the limited capacity and skills, lack of integration of climate resilience and adaptation approaches into provincial and water sector long-term plans and practice, drinking water quality issues, limited exploration of groundwater, and sanitation service management and delivery.
Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures ChrisplPhoto