Danish research and technology can provide South Africa with solutions to its water shortage crisis

With the Western Cape facing its worst drought and with Cape Town coming closer to “Day Zero", Denmark’s significant research and water technology is highly requested in South Africa in terms of solving the current water shortage crisis. Danish research, know-how and technology are known to be far advanced in relation to groundwater and drinking water, wastewater treatment, water efficiency and water spill minimization. This knowledge can benefit South Africa and possibly solve current water shortage situation in Cape Town. Incomplete utilization of groundwater and water waste caused by the poor resource infrastructure is a general challenge for South Africa. In this regard, the South African Water Research Commission and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation have visited Denmark to seek out Danish know-how that can help solve the country's water problems. The current situation in Cape Town highlighted the relevance of the visit, and opportunities for future cooperation between the research institutes and companies with expertise on knowledge-based solutions within the field of water, were discussed and explored.  The South African delegation was very interested in working with Danish stakeholders, and they are now planning a larger delegation to Denmark with researchers and the Minister for Water and Sanitation. The visit is expected to be in spring 2018. 

The South African delegation is presented to a LEGO-model of the Danish water cycle by Senior Project Manager Tanya Jacobsen from State of Green.

The visit of the delegation

The delegation visited the Ministry of Higher Education and Science on 21-23rd of January 2018 and met with both the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and VIA University College. All of these institutions share a common interest in increasing the level of cooperation with South African authorities and other stakeholders. The delegation also visited GEUS and met DHI, DI, Danida Fellowship Center and Novozymes' Hello Science! Initiative.

The delegation consisted of the Minister of Water and Sanitation Special Adviser, Dr. Thele Moeme, Director of WRC, Mr. Dhesigen Naidoo, WRC International Director, Ms. Mamohloding Thegale and two senior researchers, Mr. John Zvimba and Mr. Sylvester Mpandeli.

The visit was organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science in collaboration with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit was a part of the sectoral cooperation between the South African Ministry of Water and Sanitation on the one hand, and the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark, Ministry of Higher Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the other hand.