CRUISING THROUGH WISA2024

The WISA2024 conference theme was “Turn the tide” a call to action. The turnout, presentations, keynotes, and ceremonies reflect the excited face of the water sector, a sector ready to move forward and truly begin tackling the challenges that lay ahead.

The Durban ICC played host to a wonderous 3 days of all things water. Success is often measured in numbers and with a conference jam-packed with 129 captivating presentations, 32 workshops, 6 technical tours, and 5 keynote presentations the conference really showed up, but what would those numbers be without the people attending? Nearly 2000 registered delegates and an additional 600 walk-in visitors set their sights on and tuned their ears to the conference and its call to “turn to tide.” Success is also measured in the atmosphere, the electricity of new ideas pulsing, the friendly faces of the sector and the passion that echoes in the minds of those who are all up for the task of playing their part in “turning the tide.”

Setting sail

This year the conference was divided into 6 subthemes, so the waters could be easily navigated.

• Hands-on the wheel: Moving towards stronger partnerships and stakeholder engagement

• Aye Aye Capt’n: Turn the tide with improved governance

Senior Fellow Award

The

BEST STUDENT PAPER

Sibelele

Sibisi

• Forging A’Head: Improving municipal water and sanitation service delivery

• Reading the charts: Effecting resilient planning and management in a changing environment

• Tending the lookout: optimising monitoring and efficiency

• Clipping new edges with innovation and technology

Highlights, of which there are many, include the Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu opening the conference and announcing the launch of 6 new catchment management agencies and the packed-out auditoriums for the keynote presentations.

The WISA Gala dinner

The fully booked gala dinner was a smash hit, the perfect setting to gather with peers and celebrate the industry. WISA also handed out several awards.

These awards honour and champion good work, passion, and dedication and spotlight the important work that people do.

In the closing of the conference WISA CEO Dr Lester Goldman, says, “Together, we are the water warriors of Southern Africa. Let's continue to fight for a sustainable water future, one drop, one ripple, one wave at a time.”

If the theme was “Turn the Tide” then this conference has set it in motion, we are now actively “turning the tide” and in two years' time when we gather for WISA2026 in Cape Town, the tide will already be in on its way, as we set sail to better waters.

BEST STUDENT PAPER 1ST RUNNER-UP

Margareth Thulisile Ngcongo

BEST STUDENT PAPER 2ND RUNNER-UP

Phumlile

Pretty Mamba

THE

Best Small Stand

THE

Best Medium And Most Interactive Stand

BEST LARGE STAND