Walking away on a high

After a decade at the helm, Dhesigen Naidoo bids farewell to the Water Research Commission (WRC). Water&Sanitation Africa asks him a few questions about his time as CEO and his view on the water and sanitation sector.

Over the past 10 years, what are some of the most important achievements of the WRC? The end of my 10-year tenure coincides with the 50th year anniversary of the WRC. After reviewing the past 50 years, and then zoning into the past decade, the word transformation comes to mind.

Considering that the first 23 years of the WRC’s existence were during apartheid, transformation may be an incongruous word. But the first level of transformation from the beginning of the WRC was around a tacit recognition that higher levels of knowledge, innovation and engineering excellence were needed to grow an economy in a water-scarce country.

Before the inception of the WRC, there was only a systematic approach in getting water to mines, Eskom, Sasol and the agricultural industry. The year 1971 saw the beginning of a more scientific, organised approach towards water management for the entire country.

Since 1994, the WRC has worked hard to encourage and nurture a diverse water researcher, practitioner and innovator base. Over 70% of project leaders are black males and females. This success is due to the mentorship of older scientists and researchers that worked for the WRC pre-1994. The previously disadvantaged have been embraced and the WRC has focused on expanding capacities in the system, instead of discarding the existing capacity to build new capacity. I am extremely proud of the high levels of transformation within the WRC.

Another highlight of my tenure has been the internationalisation of South Africa’s water and sanitation Research Development and Innovation (RDI) enterprise. We now have the benefit of using the expertise from some of the best institutions in the world to examine and solve many of our water and sanitation issues. We are one of

14 WRCs in the world, and often pool resources together to take part in joint projects. The Institute of Science Information ranks South Africa’s research production in water and sanitation within the top 20 countries in the word.

I am also proud about the WRC’s efforts in capacitating and empowering the water and sanitation sector with science and technology. We have studied the value chain required to implement new technologies and knowledge in the sector and make a positive difference. The WRC is focused on impact. When applying to the WRC for support, one has to focus on how that research can be implemented to work in the industry.

If you had a magic wand, and could grant a wish to the water and sanitation sector, what would it be? I have multiple wishes for the industry, but if I could choose three, they would be: 1) Understand and embrace at all levels that: a. We are in the middle of a climate crisis. b. South Africa is one of the global epicentres of that crisis. c. Water is severely impacted by this crisis. Gauteng is experiencing water shortages in the middle of a La Niña cycle (wet cycle). This is a grave issue. 2) For the political leadership to rally, encourage and embrace the existing capacities that are in this country. We have some of the best scientists and water and sanitation experts in the world.

I worry about the fact that, currently,

South Africa is losing expertise. I have read some excellent research papers written by South Africans who are living in other countries. South Africa needs to retain, nurture and build upon its existing capacity. 3) Lastly, I wish that South Africa starts to view water as an investment opportunity and not a cost parameter. We can use Singapore as an example; it started off as a poverty-stricken state and evolved into a thriving economy. Water can be a centre piece for economic development. South Africa has the economic structure, consumer base and expertise to supply the world with water solutions. We need leadership from government.

What have you learnt on a professional and personal level from the WRC? It has been a privilege to work and partner with some the best water professionals in the world. Learning from these people has been the biggest bonus of my job. I have certainly gained a higher level of technical knowledge around the different facets of water, such as in the behavioural and economics domains.

The interconnectivity of water with everything is something I have always theoretically known, but my time at the WRC has really driven this point home. The WRC is leading globally around research relating to the water, energy and food nexus.

I have found water professionals, both young and old, exceptionally generous with their time, ideas, opinions and knowledge – and I am so grateful.

What are your plans? What will you be doing now? I will be focusing on climate change and new sanitation technology. New sanitation offers an opportunity to revitalise and redefine the whole water-cycle approach. And there is no doubt in my mind that the biggest current challenge in the world today is climate change.

Is there any advice or comment that you would like to leave the new CEO? CEOs don’t like advice. But if there were anything I had to impart it would be to develop an appreciation for what already exists. It is incredibly disempowering to individuals if you do not do that.

I would also advise the new CEO to always listen to authorities but, in the manner and tradition of science, one should not always be obedient. Research institutions need to redefine the operating environment, and this involves challenging rules that do not make sense and developing new rules to prosper. Be tactful, as there is no need to rude, but never be afraid of talking truth to power. That is the power of science: it is not an opinion. You must present the science as it exists. Good science requires brave people and this job is for a brave individual.

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