SABI Congress 2019 – Climate of Change and Opportunity
Major water savings, great technology
and food security
Promising great prospects for irrigation
S
ABI Congress 2019, held at the Elangeni Hotel in
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, was a highly successful
event. The excellent presentations from a range of
top-flight speakers, the brilliant exhibition area and the
hugely enjoyable social events all received five-star ratings
from delegates. Many rated the event one of the best SABI
Congresses they had attended.
Some 300 people attended the
event and from the outset the bar
was set high, with inspiring opening
addresses from Felix Reinders,
ICID President and SABI Treasurer-
Secretary, and Etienne Erasmus,
MD of Netafim. Both Reinders and
Erasmus put much emphasis on the
importance of the role of optimum
irrigation in improving water
savings and food supply in the
world. Agriculture and irrigation
is experiencing seismic changes
in the application of technology,
with exciting advances seen in the
use of data and digitalisation in
irrigation. A massive awareness of
the challenges of climate change
and need for sustainable use of
water, energy and resources was
widely apparent too.
Presentations
reflected
this
emphasis on changes and oppor-
tunities anew with topics ranging
from the water footprints of crops
to climate change and the threats,
opportunities and uncertainties on
sugar cane production included.
An examination of South Africa’s
just transition to a climate resilient
and low carbon economy was
detailed - and how this presents
prospects to the irrigation sector.
As per custom, the SABI Congress
2019 delivered excellent technical
presentations, for instance in the
“Designing Systems for the Future”
session. Modern macadamia irri-
gation and new trends, electronic
4
S A W Africa
knowledge product success
Platinum Sponsor
decision support systems to assess
fitness of use of irrigation water
and low flow irrigation systems at
Silver Sponsor
Westfalia, famed for their avoca-
does, were delved into.
Africa’s largest and most innovative
farmers Charl Senekal congratu-
Engineering
lating SABI on work well done in
South Africa and encouraging SABI
We also heard accounts of the to grow on the Continent going
development of sustainable water into the future.
sources – from construction and
engineering aspects and feats The SABI
of the Lesotho Highlands Water Award winners 2019
Project to the irrigation of tradi-
tional food Amadumbe using For the first time ever in SABI’s
treated wastewater. We also heard history, the SABI Special Award
how irrigation design and water was presented - for exemplary work
application in amenity and leisure and achievements in the irrigation
fields is being transformed by the sector. This very special Award went
use of ALWUMSA.
to Felix Reinders, who is the ICID
President, SABI Treasurer-Secretary
More great information was and is a former President of SABI,
imparted in the Innovative whose achievements and role in
Irrigation Technologies and Water irrigation have been extraordinary.
Management Tools and Techniques
Sessions. The final day boasted a Said Riana Lombard, SABI GM:
session on Optimised Solutions for “Felix is always eager to participate,
Energy, with pertinent presentations lead, guide and mentor locally and
on solar water solutions, optimising internationally. He has certainly
electricity and water use, low cost made a huge impact in irrigation
solar powered irrigation systems engineering research, develop-
and a great case study of a hydro ment, testing, design, training and
power project near Cookhouse in mentoring. Even while as President
the Eastern Cape presented.
of ICID Felix has time to assist and
advise on SABI matters. Felix is
The Gala Dinner was a fun and very inspiring, a great role model
enjoyable event, with SABI GM - he will always find time to help,
Riana Lombard and SABI President even with a busy international
Willie Vosloo presenting the Awards diary to navigate.”
in fine style. This followed an
excellent address by one of South
SABI | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019
Gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Tian Lourens of Overberg Irrigation
received the accolade of the SABI
National Exam Trophy for his top
marks. This award is presented
to the corporate member scoring
highest marks over period of two
years in the SABI SNE exams.
This exam “is not for sissies” as
Willie said on congratulating
Tian on his Award!
Furthermore, the SABI Silver Medal
- awarded for Excellent Service
to the Irrigation industry – was
presented to Model Maker’s Carel
Viljoen. Model Maker’s software
which is utilised worldwide, is
of great service to the irrigation
sector, and is certainly a winner in
terms of South African innovation
and excellence.
Scooping the SABI Bronze Medal
was Francois de Kock, who was
recipient of the Best Student in the
SABI Design Course 2017.
The judges awarded the “Best
Exhibitor’s Award” to Agriplas for
their great exhibition at Congress,
which was very aesthetically
pleasing, with a lot of interesting
displays and great information.
Congratulations to all
the Award winners!