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While thinking about the nautical theme of the #WISA2024 Conference, I returned to this quote from the Greek shipping magnate who amassed the world’s largest privately owned shipping fleet.

It is similar to a one of my favourite lines from Bob Dylan “Chaos is a friend of mine” which closely aligns to my parenting advice – “Embrace the chaos”. Children come with sticky hands, random melt downs, UNO cards spread on coffee tables, stuffed toys having tea parties, rocks lying on a couch and crayon art on walls. You cannot fight it; you learn to work with it (and enjoy it).

The water industry comes with leaks, payment issues, political agendas, misinformed public, angry protests, droughts, floods, climate change and pollution. I do not see this sector getting any less complicated and any less difficult to navigate.

Fortunately, we are South Africans, we are resilient, we are problem solvers, we always make a plan, we survived apartheid, and I think we will survive anything. There are no better people to tackle the water crisis and I look forward to meeting you all in person at the #WISA2024 Conference.

I was thinking what a good time it was to have the conference, given that the election period is over and new leadership is at the helm. But truthfully, it is always a good time to bring water professionals together. I am looking forward to everyone capitalising on the public interest in water and to witness the positive steps we have made going forward.