Young professionals in the water and sanitation sector in Limpopo Province meet during Youth Month celebrations to explore innovative solutions to water challenges, a critical resource for life. Photographer: Forgive Hlungwani
By Isaack Duba & Cairoline Khoza ulpublications@ul.ac.za
As the water sector faces increasing challenges, the University of Limpopo (UL) is placing its trust in the youth to forge a path forward
Through its Department of Water and Sanitation, UL recently collaborated with key stakeholders to mark Youth Month by empowering young professionals in the water sector.
In partnership with the Department of Water and Sanitation Young Professionals (YPs) in Limpopo, the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), Young Water Professionals (YWP), and Lepelle Northern Water’s young professionals, UL hosted an informative event under the theme ‘Empowering Youth for a Resilient Future’.
The initiative highlighted the crucial role that young specialists play in shaping a sustainable and secure water future. More than just a celebration, the event provided a platform for young people to exchange ideas, showcase innovation, and actively tackle water-related challenges in Limpopo and beyond.
“The youth network aims to raise awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) and the Youth Development Strategy,” stated Seani Nevondo from the Limpopo Provincial Department of Water and Sanitation.
“It also facilitates engagement with sector leaders on the solutions outlined in the 2022 Youth Development Strategy and the National Youth Policy (2020–2030).”
Ngwako Mphago, Strategic Support to Provincial Head at the Limpopo Provincial Department of Water and Sanitation, emphasises the crucial role youth play in addressing South Africa’s water challenges.
Delivering the keynote address, Ngwako Mphago of the Limpopo Provincial Department of Water and Sanitation urged young professionals to take a more active role in addressing South Africa’s water crisis.
“We urge young experts here today to bring forward innovative solutions to the country’s water challenges, and to join the sector,” he said.
“Youth Month is a reminder of the important role young people play in ensuring quality water and sanitation services.”
Mphago also stressed the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in tackling persistent issues in water service delivery.
“Departments such as Forestry, Mining, and Agriculture must work with us to find practical and sustainable solutions to both water resource management and water service challenges.”
Prof Fhumulani Mathivha, Associate Professor in the Department of Water and Sanitation, encouraged young people to speak up and lead efforts to address the sector’s problems.
“I urge the youth to step forward and develop solutions to the issues that affect not just the sector, but the country as a whole,” said Prof Mathivha.
“We must combine scientific research with indigenous knowledge systems to develop creative, relevant solutions.”
Reflecting on the legacy of the 1976 generation, Mathivha challenged today’s youth to be just as bold in shaping their future and the future of South Africa’s water sector.
Also contributing to the discussions, Nomadla Nxusa, a lecturer in the Department of Water and Sanitation at UL, a representative of the Young Water Professionals South Africa, and one of the organising committee members of this prestigious event, underlined the power of collaboration.
“By working together with all stakeholders, we can cultivate a new generation of skilled, empowered, and employable youth,” she said.
Nxusa emphasised that joint efforts such as these contribute directly to South Africa’s progress toward achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities).
For Mary Nkosi, a PhD candidate in Geography at UL, the event reinforced the importance and scope of the sector.
“The presentations were enlightening, particularly in showcasing the diversity of careers in the water industry—from hydrology and geography to groundwater management and monitoring techniques,” Nkosi noted.