Forget figures and formulas – water security demands justice, dignity and shared action

By Siya Hlebani

 

As water insecurity tightens its grip on Africa, the Institute for Water Research’s (IWR) recent Open Day at Rhodes University ignited a robust conversation about building collaborative, sustainable, and innovative water futures for the continent. The event served as more than just a showcase; it became a rallying cry for policy action, research-driven transformation, and an urgent redefinition of Africa’s relationship with its most precious resource.

Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Rhodes University, underscored the importance of the Open Day as both a moment of celebration and self-interrogation. “It is an opportunity to pause and reflect, to ask new questions and to be told where our blind spots lie,” she said.

Dr Mzilikazi affirmed Rhodes University's strategic commitment to water security, citing the establishment of institutional research themes and the positioning of the IWR as a flagship unit. “We want to be recognised not only nationally, not only on the continent, but internationally, for our contribution to water futures,” she declared, emphasising the importance of transdisciplinary and collaborative work as the cornerstone of sustainable impact.

Beyond the tap

IWR Director Professor Nelson Odume highlighted that water scarcity in Africa is as much about governance and economics as it is about drought. While physical water scarcity persists, economic scarcity – where water exists but remains inaccessible due to infrastructure or affordability – has become a silent emergency.

He stressed the multidimensional nature of water security, linking it to ecological integrity, infrastructure, policy, and social justice. “The tap is not the source. It’s just a conduit. If we’re going to transform this sector, we need bold graduates, bold thinking, and coordinated action across the continent,” he said.

Under its newly developed five-year plan, the IWR has identified six strategic research areas that align with national and continental priorities: reducing water pollution, improving service delivery, advancing catchment management, leveraging data and decision tools, and ensuring water for food and public health.

But the Institute isn’t working in isolation. Prof Odume highlighted Rhodes University’s growing partnerships with institutions across Africa and beyond. A new taught Master’s in Applied Water and Catchment Sciences is being launched, and students are trained not just in theory but in active community engagement and service learning. “We don’t just train graduates, we train change-makers,” Prof Odume stated.

Data & science are not enough

Dr Henry Roman of the International Water Management Institute presented cutting-edge technologies like digital twins and virtual simulations of real-world water systems. These tools are already being used in several African countries to anticipate climate-related disasters, allocate water more efficiently, and support decision-makers with real-time, science-based insights.

Dr Roman made a crucial point: having data isn’t enough. The challenge lies in building the capacity of institutions and communities to use that data meaningfully. “It’s not about turning scientists into consultants; it’s about empowering the people who need these tools the most,” he said.

Director of Biodiversity Mainstreaming at SANBI, Dr Nontuthuzelo Gola, spoke from an ecological perspective, urging a balance between built infrastructure and natural ecosystems be reached. She described SANBI’s groundbreaking work integrating ecological infrastructure into the national water strategy, demonstrating how healthy wetlands and rivers can reduce demand on costly engineered systems.

Her presentation detailed a seven-year transboundary project focused on sustainable financing and integrated water management in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. “You can have a dam, but without a healthy catchment, your tap may still run dry,” she explained.

One central message echoed through most of the IWR Open Day: a sustainable water future for Africa requires people, policy, and partnerships. The future must be co-created with communities and guided by a shared commitment to preserving the resource upon which all life depends.

As Prof Odume put it, “Water is not just an issue of supply, it is an issue of justice, dignity, and survival. If we want a transformed water sector, we must transform the way we think, work, and govern.”