Water, Sewage & Effluent November December 2018 | Page 18

Networking in-between sessions, from left: Deelin Naidoo (eThekweni), Segometswe Kelefetswe (SAICE), Shelton Lutchmen (eThekweni),
Benjamin Brits (Water, Sewage & Effluent), and Henry Roman (DST).
through their participation, as well
as viable solutions to better and more
effective management of our water
resources.
Skills such as new technology,
processing methods, maintenance,
energy management, utilisation of
process by-products, and automation
were some of the highlighted hard
issues. On the side of soft issues, skills
such as improved decision making,
planning, alignment to objectives,
wastage awareness, and disaster
management were in the forefront.
The professionalism and respect
of the Japanese culture were
highlighted in the way that business is
conducted, as well as in the high level
of excellence that is achieved in all
aspects of efficiency and management
of infrastructure.
Words from the
industry leaders
As part of the feedback to past
participants and advisors to the current
beneficiaries, industry leaders offered
their points of view and words of wisdom
— having participated in the water
space for many years. Representative
of the Water Research Commission
(WRC) — Dr Valerie Naidoo, executive
manager for business development,
16
and the South African Institute of Civil
Engineering’s (SAICE’s) Segomotso
Kelefetswe, chairperson of the water
division — collectively commented on
the importance of preparations for the
future, the technology changes that
we can expect, and the strategies that
need to be implemented to achieve
success, with implementation being
key in achieving successful results,
as often, plans fail at this stage when
challenges occur.
Technology is constantly evolving,
but without enablers (such as the
scholarship beneficiaries) driving
change and executing on planning,
success cannot be realised. This
is especially true when it comes
to aspects such as the mindset or
culture of thinking in South Africa.
Change is inevitable on many different
levels and cycles, and so, adapting
to circumstances must be seen as
a necessary element in creating
resilience or resilient systems.
Making a difference is placed in the
hands of each individual to manage,
and small acts, such as teaching a
colleague or standing your ground
when you know the value of something,
should not be underestimated.
A different approach to the status
quo is required, as variables change
the models that have historically
Water Sewage & Effluent November/December 2018
worked. As an example, it is likely that
decentralised solutions will be much
more practical and easier to maintain
in the future than centralised systems
that become inefficient through
capacity challenges. Water shortages
will become a reality, and the use of
wastewater in its various forms will
need to be employed and its ideas to
solve these challenges, considered.
More businesses and government
departments should become involved
in partnerships like these to promote
valuable skill development at all levels,
and to be able to increase capacity to
grow the South African infrastructure
using available technology. This
applies to all industries.
2018 beneficiaries send-off
Current-year
beneficiaries
were
introduced and congratulated by
Shuichiro Kawaguchi of the Embassy
of Japan on their selection to the
scholarship programme. The pool
of beneficiaries represents various
disciplines in the municipal water sector.
Some 2017 beneficiaries shared
advice for the new group and
encouraged them all to participate
fully in all aspects of learning,
technology, and the wonderful
Japanese cultural elements.
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