Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo has commended a partnership between the Department of Water and Sanitation and the University of South Africa's (Unisa) College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) to enhance the provision of clean and safe drinking water in the country.
Meeting at the Unisa Science Campus in Florida, Johannesburg on Monday, Mahlobo engaged with Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula.
Central to this initiative is Unisa’s Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), which focuses on innovative research to tackle current and emerging challenges in water management.
Mahlobo urged Unisa to leverage its expertise and technology, particularly in nanotechnology, to help municipalities tackle these challenges.
“As the Department of Water and Sanitation, we are already using technology to analyse water quality at municipalities through the Blue and Green Drop programme. Therefore, Unisa can also make a remarkable contribution to resolve water quality issues through its research and technology,” Mahlobo stated.
He emphasised that the partnership aims to strengthen municipal capabilities, ensuring safe drinking water for all communities.
“Our weakness is in municipalities, but I believe with partnerships like this, water quality in the country will be improved,” he added.
Mahlobo also highlighted the Department’s Learning Academy, which offers bursaries to students pursuing water and sanitation studies.
Graduates from this program will join the department as trainees, addressing technical skill shortages in the sector.
“We further call on Unisa that through our partnership, we should strive to produce more graduates that will bring their knowledge to the department. Unisa is the best institution in water research and innovation, and it can produce leaders in the water and sanitation field,” he said.
Reiterating the partnership's importance, Mahlobo said, “Our partnership will be instrumental in building a country we all yearn for. We are here to join hands and to partner with you to improve the lives of our people.”
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