Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, says innovation, research and strong partnerships will be critical to securing South Africa's water future, as the country confronts growing challenges posed by climate change, ageing infrastructure and water demand.
Majodina made the remarks at the opening of Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) Biennial Conference and Exhibition, currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
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, municipalities, development partners and private sector representatives in Southern Africa, to explore solutions for improving water security across South Africa and the continent.
Majodina said the conference provides one of Africa's leading platforms for advancing research, innovation, and collaboration in the water sector.
"The increasingly complex challenges confronting the water sector cannot be solved by any single institution acting alone," the Minister said.
She highlighted the Department of Water and Sanitation's long-standing partnership with WISA, saying the collaboration has strengthened professional development, technical capacity, policy development, and innovation within the sector.
According to the Minister, securing the country's water future will require more than investing in infrastructure.
"It will demand new forms of leadership, new governance models, new financing mechanisms, new technologies and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed commitment to collective action," Majodina said.
Majodina said delegates will over the next three days interrogate some of the most pressing issues confronting the sector, 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.
She described innovation as central to government's efforts to move from managing recurring water crises to building long-term water security.
"The future of water security will be built through innovation, collaboration and evidence-based policymaking," Majodina said.
The Minister said research also has a vital role in shaping policy and improving service delivery.
Hundreds of technical papers will be presented during the conference, covering issues including emerging contaminants, reuse, Artificial Intelligence (AI), climate adaptation, and advanced treatment.
"The future depends on generating, applying and sharing knowledge so that research informs policy and improves service delivery at scale," Majodina said.
She also stressed the importance of developing the next generation of water professionals, saying investment in engineers, scientists, researchers, and young practitioners is essential to the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Majodina said technological advances, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and smart monitoring systems, are transforming water management by improving predictive maintenance, operational efficiency, and decision-making. However, she emphasised that technology complements, rather than replaces, skilled professionals.
The Minister also called for stronger partnerships between government, academia, business, civil society and development partners to mobilise investment and accelerate innovation.
She said blended financing models that combine public, private and development finance would be needed to meet the scale of investment required to modernise water infrastructure while maintaining water as a public good.
Beyond South Africa, Majodina said regional cooperation remains vital to strengthening water security.
She noted 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 watercourses, climate resilience, and regional infrastructure development.
The country has also proposed the establishment of a SADC Water Week to strengthen regional collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation across the water sector.
Majodina urged delegates to use the conference to forge new partnerships, exchange ideas and develop practical solutions that will improve water security for millions of people.
"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. – SAnews.gov.za
