Innovation, Partnerships Key to Securing South Africa’s Water Future: Minister Majodina

Cape Town, The Gulf Observer: South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, has underscored the importance of innovation, research and strategic partnerships in safeguarding the country’s water future, warning that climate change, ageing infrastructure and rising water demand require urgent and collective action.

Speaking at the opening of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) Biennial Conference and Exhibition at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Majodina said sustainable water security can only be achieved through collaboration among government, academia, the private sector and development partners.

Held from 22–24 July 2026 under the theme “Rethink Amanzi – Securing Our Future,” the conference has brought together more than 2,000 delegates, including scientists, engineers, researchers, policymakers, municipal officials and industry representatives from across Southern Africa to discuss innovative solutions for strengthening water security across the region.

Addressing participants, the Minister described the conference as one of Africa’s premier platforms for advancing research, innovation and cooperation in the water sector.

“The increasingly complex challenges confronting the water sector cannot be solved by any single institution acting alone,” Majodina said, emphasizing the need for stronger partnerships to address growing water challenges.

She highlighted the Department of Water and Sanitation’s long-standing collaboration with WISA, noting that the partnership has contributed significantly to professional development, technical expertise, policy formulation and innovation within the sector.

Majodina stressed that securing South Africa’s water future requires more than infrastructure investment. She said it also demands innovative leadership, modern governance models, sustainable financing mechanisms, advanced technologies and a renewed commitment to collective action.

Over the three-day conference, delegates are expected to examine critical issues including resilient infrastructure, innovative financing, water governance and accountability, climate adaptation, digital technologies, groundwater development, water reuse, circular economy approaches, citizen science, municipal performance, youth leadership and the future of water research.

Describing innovation as a cornerstone of government’s long-term strategy, the Minister said South Africa must shift from responding to recurring water crises to building lasting water security through evidence-based policymaking.

She also underscored the importance of research in shaping policy and improving public service delivery, noting that hundreds of technical papers will be presented during the conference on topics such as emerging contaminants, water reuse, artificial intelligence, climate adaptation and advanced water treatment technologies.

“The future depends on generating, applying and sharing knowledge so that research informs policy and improves service delivery at scale,” she said.

Majodina further stressed the need to invest in the next generation of engineers, scientists, researchers and young water professionals, describing human capital development as essential for the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Highlighting the growing role of technology, the Minister said artificial intelligence, machine learning and smart monitoring systems are transforming water management by improving predictive maintenance, operational efficiency and decision-making, while emphasizing that technology is intended to support—not replace—skilled professionals.

She also called for stronger cooperation between government, academic institutions, businesses, civil society organizations and development partners to mobilize investment and accelerate innovation. According to the Minister, blended financing models combining public, private and development finance will be essential to modernize water infrastructure while ensuring water remains a public good.

On the regional front, Majodina reaffirmed the importance of cooperation among Southern African nations, noting that South Africa recently co-chaired the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Water and Energy, where member states reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration on shared water resources, climate resilience and regional infrastructure development.

She also highlighted South Africa’s proposal to establish a SADC Water Week to promote regional collaboration, knowledge-sharing and innovation across the water sector.

Concluding her address, Majodina urged delegates to use the conference as a platform to build meaningful partnerships, exchange practical ideas and develop innovative solutions capable of improving water security for millions of people across South Africa and the wider Southern African region.

“The true success of this conference will be measured by partnerships formed, innovations adopted, institutions strengthened and tangible improvements for millions of South Africans,” the Minister said.