RDJ Briefing - March 2023

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RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.

FROM THE EDITOR

ACCELERATING CHANGE IN THE WATER SECTOR

WelcomeDearReader!

So,aftertheexcitementandgreatdisplaysat the African Energy Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, The RDJ team is back with another stellar edition for March 2023 of the RDJBriefing

This month we are dedicating this edition to WorldWaterDay2023!

If you hadn’t already noticed, the theme on the cover is also this year’s theme, “Accelerating Change to Solve the Water and SanitationCrisis”Itisnotnewtoanyonethat when there are bottlenecks in water systems/cycles, these affect progress in all other areas of life, be it in poverty reduction, educationaccess,fosteringgenderorminority equity,andorachievingglobalpeace.

Thatsaidwetookthisopportunitytolookata widerangeofissuespertainingtowatersuch as:

SanitationimprovementswithinMines, ThebenefitsoffloatingSolar, WaterHarvestinginNamibia’sOshanas and Water Transportation schemes for NeedyCommunities,

This edition also includes three (3) Africa EnergyIndabarelatedpieceswhichwehope willprovideyouthedearreaderwithfurther

insightintothekeyissuesraisedattheIndaba and the future prospects for Africa’s Energy sector.

Itisalsowithgreatanticipationthatwewould like to make you aware of our Youth and Finance Expo and Public Discussion, set to take place on May 10th, 2023 in Windhoek, Namibia,attheCountryClubandResort

Everyone is welcome to this event but a special invitation is being extended to the Youth, particularly those based in Namibia. Kindly follow our social media accounts for further information or reach out to us at busdev@rdjpublishing.africaor+26481750 3010.

Hope you find this edition informative as usual, and we continue to encourage you to followusandengagewithusonalloursocial media accounts. As always the conversation continuesatbriefing@rdjpublishingafrica

Yours, editor@rdjpublishing.africa

WATCH THIS SPACE

(DavidA Jarrett) Editor Authors RDJInterns*

Did you know?

Quick Facts

Onefifthoftheworld’sriverbasinsareexperiencingrapidchanges suchasanincreaseinthefrequencyof floodingandthedryingupofwaterbodies.(UN-Water,2021)

Globally,thenumberoflakeswithharmfulalgaebloomswillincreasebyatleast20%by2050 (UNDESA, 2012)

Achievinguniversalaccesstosafelymanagedsanitationby2030willrequire,onaverage,afour-foldincrease incurrentratesofprogress (UN-Water,2021)

EveryUS$1investedinwaterandsanitationaccessreturnsanaverageofUS$4inincreasedproductivity. (WHO,2012)

21 million people, including 5 million children, live within 5 km of lakes with high turbidity (water cloudiness), which can indicate water pollution.

(UN-Water, 2021)

Courtesy: RDJ Consulting

E C O N O M Y A T L A R G E

Namibia Leads the Way!

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

The Namibian ambition espoused through its national policies such as Vision 2030, National Development Plan 5 (NDP5), and the Harambee

Prosperity Plan II for example, was clearly on display during the just-ended Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) 2023, which was held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) from 7-9 March 2023

Namibia did not disappoint and had a pavilion that was well placed so that it provided direct interaction and interviews with all the sectors of the energy industry. This allowed investors and developers to have direct access to first-hand information and for Namibian individuals and entities to create new and potential partnerships The Namibia Investment Promotions and Development Board (NIPDB) brought Namibia to Cape Town for the world to

see and interact with.The recent third oil find, added to the excitement and buzz around Namibia at the event.

Further enhancement was gained through the high-level representation panel that informed the audiences through direct and indirect interactions The main speaking panel was moderated by the NIPDB’s Executive Director: Investments and New Ventures, Mr. François van Schalkwyk with speakers from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (Mr. Carlo McLeod, Deputy Director: Compliance, Regulations and Economics), the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (Mr Benedict Libanda, CEO), the Electricity Control Board (Mr Pinehas Mutota, Acting CEO), NAMCOR (Mr Frans Kalenga, Senior Manager: Sustainable Energies), NamPower (Ms Kandali Iiyambo, Executive: Modified Single Buyer) and Rand Merchant

Namibianrepresentativestothe2023AfricaEnergyIndaba

The attendees were introduced to a conversation that covered Namibia’s ambitions and progress in the areas of Green Hydrogen, Its oil explorations, value additions through the use of world-class renewable energy resources based in part on solar and wind, as well as how intentions around Carbon Markets. Highlights surrounded how all these can be brought to bear to make Namibia an energy producer and exporter, stemming its current position as a major energy importer of 100% fossil fuels and up to 70% of its electricity needs

To provide a “rounded offering” to the Indaba, the NIPDB also spoke to investors about its Desert Visa programme. It is also relevant here to indicate that the NIPDB is in the process of crafting a concept for a Namibian RBI

framework called the Desert Visa Programme, which covers various categories of investment, and proposes certain conditions for each category Amongst the various categories conceptualized under this framework, is one onRBIthroughrealestateinvestments

The NIPDB is currently working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) to ensure that all aspects and potential gaps in the programme are well considered, and that the criteria for the approvals for real estate developments qualifying for RBI are well set out before submitting the same to Cabinet for approval. RDJ Publishing will update you as furtherinformationbecomesavailable.

As always, the conversation continues and we can be reachedat briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Bank Namibia (Fabian Shaanika, Mining Sector Lead)

NamibiaheadlinedpanelrepresentedbytheNIPDB(Mr FrancoisvanSchalkwyk)

The Thirsty Economy: The Need for Water Addressing Transboundary Issues in Africa

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist@ RDJ Consulting

This disparity is mainly attributed to the uneven geographical distribution of water across inhabited areas. In Africa, it is very common to find small groups of people residing in areas where there is a large body of water. This is apparent when we look at the Congo basin which contains 30 percent of the continent's water, but the area is inhabited by only 10 percent of Africa’s population according to WWF

Given the uneven geographical distribution of water bodies, transboundary issues also complicate matters. The African Development Bank (AfDB) reports that Africa is home to “63 international transboundary river basins which cover about 62% of the region's land area and account for 90% of the total surface water” This means that, water use in one country may affect its availability and quality in neighboring countries

The Nile River Basin for example, is one of the most critical transboundary water bodies in Africa, serving 11 countries stretching from Africa’s Great Lakes region –Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – to the Ethiopian and Eritrean highlands through South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea

Water is undeniably a precious resource that we cannot live without Given this, it is evident that sustainable development is significantly depen-

dent on the availability of water The World Bank puts it clearly, “Water is a key driver of sustainable growth and poverty alleviation as an input to almost all production, in agriculture, industry, energy, transport, by healthy people in healthy ecosystems.”

Africa is blessed with abundant freshwater sourced from large lakes, rivers, vast wetlands and limited access but widespread groundwater Some of its major rivers include the famous Congo, Nile, Zambezi and Niger River Despite having this advantage, the World Economic Forum reported in 2016 that the continent is also the second driest worldwide, after Australia. Given this complexity, millions of Africans still suffer from water shortages year after year.

This is covered for example through the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, known as the Water Convention, which prides itself to be a “unique global legal and institutional framework for transboundary water cooperation” Therefore, many countries in the world have been joining this Convention to better manage and protect their water resources. The Water Convention was originally negotiated as a regional framework for the pan-European region. Following an amendment procedure, since March 2016 all UN Member States can accede to it Chad and Senegal have become the first African Parties in 2018 Then, Ghana acceded in 2020 and was followed by Guinea-Bissau and Togo in 2021, and by Cameroon in 2022 The UN notes that these countries’ accession offers new prospects for enhanced transboundary cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa, conflict prevention, and regional stability.

The80aquifersandaquifersystemssuperimposedon63internationalriver basins Courtesy:wwwiwmicgiarorg/

TheOrangeriverbetweenNamibiaandSouthAfrica,intheAi-AisRichtersveldtransfrontierpark. Courtesy:jbdodane/CreativeCommons

Africa’s Further Commitment

In alignment with this year's World Water Day, the United Nations (UN) held a Water Conference from 22-24 March 2023 with the aim of mobilizing its Member States, the UN system and stakeholders alike to take action and bring successful solutions to a global scale In an unprecedented political push for cross-border water cooperation, Ministers and Leaders from Africa, Latin America and the Middle East have declared at the 2023 Conference their country’s resolve to join the Water Convention.

Some of the Governments committed to joining UN Water Convention were:

Cameroon shares most of its water resources with other states including Chad, Nigeria, Niger, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. In the face of rising water stress, cooperation on these shared waters is essential to ensure economic development, climate change adaptation and to preserve regional stability The country became the 47th Party to the UN “Water Convention”) Nigeria with over 213 million inhabitants, is the most populous country in Africa, and shares with its neighbours most of its water resources, which include Lake Chad and the River Niger. Nigeria officially became the 48th Party to the Water Convention and the 7th African nation to join since 2018 (following Chad, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Togo and Cameroon), marked by a ceremony Namibia shares all its perennial rivers with neighboring countries and is b th id t d d t t A t f it

(ORASECOM) shared with South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe); the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) with all other riparian states of Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe; andtheCuvelaiWatercourseCommission(CUVECOM)with Angola.

During the Conference, Namibia reaffirmed its commitment to join the Water Convention, following approval of its National Assembly in March 2023. Its accession makes it the first country in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)to join the Convention, opening the door to further expansion and reinforcement of cooperation in a region where the majority of freshwater crosses state borders. Other countries that declared interest in joining the convention include Iraq, Gambia (which shares the SenegaloMauritanian Aquifer), Niger, Uganda, Benin, Sierra Leone, andSouthSudan

To address water challenges caused by transboundary issues, it is important that countries collaborate over shared water resources and so, work together to set a path for long-term water security and resilience As always, the conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://unece org/media/Sustainable-Development/press/376922

https://www giz de/en/worldwide/119853 html

https://unece org/media/news/368642

https://www afdb org/en/documents/climate-proofing-

TommyTrenchard/ConcernWorldwide

N$ 20.650/ US$ 1.387 perlitreDiesel50ppm

R 23.717/ US$ 1.282 perlitreDiesel50ppm

Kz 135.000/ US$ 0.267 perlitreDiesel50ppm

₦ 836.91/ US$ 1.818 perlitreDiesel50ppm

Does Water Matter to Oil & Gas?

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist@ RDJ Consulting

GlobalwaterconsumptionintheenergysectorbyfuelandpowergenerationtypeintheNetZeroScenario,2021and2030(Courtesy:IEA2023)

As an essential element, water is also used throughout the process of exploring oil and gas including in drilling, pressure maintenance, and

all stages of production Without it, companies cannot optimize their system and generate consistent revenue. It is therefore important that water supply sources are always present and available.

Water used in the production of oil and gas is often locally sourced through various methods that involve groundwater, rivers, or lakes (both natural and artificial) Another source of water for exploration and production is that which is generated within the oil and gas production process. This includes the water that is present originally in the reservoirs, but also water that is injected into the wells

The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that “Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population experiences severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, and climate change will make water flows more erratic”. Thus, there is a need to be aware of our water consumption and adapt to the need for conservation efforts The fact is, in comparison to agriculture or power generation, the oil and gas industry uses far less water

The lifecycle cost of extracting and refining one barrel of oil requires, on average, 7,000 liters (1,850 gallons) of water?

However, we cannot deny that these quantities can be very significant at local levels Greater attention is therefore required to avoid competition for water sources needed by people. The good news is that water is not always wasted in its totality. Water can be recycled and reused for different purposes as part of the sector’s water management strategies

One way the industry has taken a turn around this i i i b d i i Thi h

way to avoid competing with existing water sources used by people for their daily consumption needs. This is what keepsindustriessuchasoilandgasfunctioning!

Didyouknow?

The amount of water produced by a well can vary from almost none to over 100 barrels of water per barrel of oil. Nationally, an average of about 10 barrels of water are producedforeachbarrelofoil.

What else do you think can be done to ensure water sustainability within the oil and gas sector? Talk to us at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa and don’t forget to subscribeformoreinsights

Readings:

https://www.fractracker.org/2021/11/oil-and-gas-companies-usea-lot-of-water-to-extract-oil-in-drought-stricken-california/ https://www schroders com/br/gr/professionalinvestor/insights/markets/will-water-become-more-valuable-thanoil/ https://corporate exxonmobil com/sustainability/environmentalprotection/sustainable-water-and-energy/understanding-therelationship-between-energy-and-water#Wateruseacrossindustries http://aqwatec mines edu/produced water/intro/pw/ https://www.fractracker.org/2021/11/oil-and-gas-companies-usea-lot-of-water-to-extract-oil-in-drought-stricken-california/ https://www americangeosciences org/sites/default/files/AGI PE WaterIntro web final pdf (page 2, paragraph 1)

Energy Indaba Highlights

Coal Under Fire…

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

GreenpeaceAfricaActivists

South Africa’s coal industry is said to be the world’s fifth largest, employing 90,000 miners, generating 80% of the country’s electricity, and suppling the feedstock for about a quarter of the country’s liquid fuel for vehicles. However, during The Honourable Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe (MP), Keynote Address, protester’s from Greenpeace Africa decided it was an opportune moment to highlight their concerns around coal use

Greenpeace Africa climate and energy campaigner Thandile Chinyavanhu said, “Coal is a dangerous deadend pushing South Africa to the brink of destruction, yet almost all of South Africa’s electricity comes from an ancient fleet of coal-fired power stations which are literally falling apart, breaking down more quickly than they can be fixed”

The Minister in his speech amongst other matters was clear and pointed out that “Differences about the pace, scale and how to balance the transition will always exist, however, as African leaders, we are duty bound to act with determination to resolve the intricate problems that beset our continent without the encirclement pressure to please others first”

The protesters on the other hand, however, may remind us of their resistance to further coal use and roll-out in face of the current regional destruction meted out by Tropical Storm Freddy. Tropical Storm Freddy has ripped through Southern Africa for the second time in a month [12 March 2023], leaving a trail of destruction and death

in Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi Freddy is stated to be one of the strongest storms recorded to date in the southern hemisphere.

We can only assume then that the Minister is informed in part by Government policy and on the other by such reports as the South African Coal Sector Report which outlines that “the South African government through the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has expressed a commitment to reducing CO2 emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025”.

A Just Energy Transition (JET) will be the way forward. The question, therefore, is the speed at which it takes place and who pays the additional burden for moving quickly? As always, the conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Reading:

https://www gov za/speeches/minister-gwede-mantasheafrica-energy-indaba-7-mar-2023-0000

https://www dailymaverick co za/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/11356553.jpg?resize=1536,1024

https://www energy gov za/files/media/explained/southafrican-coal-sector-report.pdf

https://www reuters com/world/africa/south-african-courtorders-government-clean-up-air-coal-belt-2022-03-18/ https://blogs worldbank org/opendata/declining-coal-pricesreflect-reshaping-global-energytrade#: :text=Both%20coal%20prices%20and%20demand,in% 202023%20compared%20to%202022

Courtesy:GettyImagesPro

M I N I N G

Mining Operations: Water and Sanitation

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

Access to water is essential for life despite that, the data shows that some 30% of the world’s population has no access to clean or safe water

sources When we discuss mining, the issues raised usually first look at the environmental process and then at the extractive values However, mining is much more

Access to water is essential to mining on a number of fronts, not least of all from the aspect of its staff and

handling of its extractive product. “Industrial mining projects can play an important role in global sustainable development if associated health risks are minimized and opportunities maximized While a broad body of evidence from quantitative studies exists that establishes the interlinkages between mining operations and effects on public health, little research has been conducted investigating health impacts from the perspective of affected communities.” - Leuenberger, A., et. Al.

RioSimpsonRiver(Courtesy:ImagebywirestockonFreepik)

As the industry body, International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) notes, access to water and sanitation facilities on mines is taken for granted by those in what could be classified as “developed countries”.

of sustainable collection, treatment, reduction, and reuse of wastewater can enhance energy production, recover raw materials, retain valuable nutrients, boost agricultural production, and create more sustainable cities.

https://minearc com/hygiene-in-mining-and-industry/

The ICMM, therefore, encourage efficient water use and wastewater treatment, while preserving functioning water-related ecosystems, which is essential for protecting global resources Increasing access to water, sanitation, and hygiene is a driver for a wide range of associated sustainable development goals SDG6 in all countries

The safe management of water after it has been used not only reduces pollution at the source (thus protecting ecosystems while promoting better human health) but helps to alleviate water scarcity and meet an evergrowing demand for water A ‘circular economy’ strategy

Cost Factors

ICMM also notes that effective waste management treatmentrequiresmajorinvestmentssuchasinrecycling and wastewater treatment facilities. As with all things, capital costs then become barriers even when the longterm economics say otherwise. As always, the conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa let usknowyourthoughts.

Thus much can be done

What is your view? Let us know or ask a question at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa where theconversationcontinues

Readings:

https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/miningmetals/contribution/clean-water-sanitation/sanitation-hygiene https://www ncbi nlm nih gov/pmc/articles/PMC8177516/pdf/po ne.0252433.pdf

https://doi org/10 1371/journal pone 0252433

Benefits to Society

“….hygiene standards in mining, tunnelling and industrial environments play a significant role in a company’s overall productivity.”

E L E C T R I C I T Y

Ticking All the Boxes – Africa Energy Indaba, 2023

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

The theme, “African Energy transitioning to a sustainable and prosperous future” guided the Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) 2023, which was held

at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) from 7-9 March 2023 and has been hailed as a resounding success

The event which also included a major Exhibition, saw industry experts from across the continent and beyond assembling to discuss and debate the most pressing issues facing the energy sector Ranked among the most significant energy conferences in Africa, it attracted a broad spectrum of attendees, including government officials, private sector representatives, investors, and academia

The Africa Energy Indaba, held dialogues on an extensive

range of topics, from innovative technological solutions to resilient strategies for realizing sustainable energy access for all Included in the offerings were the Africa Gas Forum and IPP & PPA Conference as side events featuring jam-packed agendas of the latest insights, trends, and developments in Africa's energy markets.

The AEI of 2023 showcased a wide array of keynote speakers, including highly esteemed personalities from the African and global energy landscape, headlined by The Honourable Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy - Mr Gwede Mantashe (MP) Further, there were multiple breakout sessions, workshops, and networking events that enabled attendees to interact with their counterparts With a significant number of decisionmakers in attendance, the conference offered unparalleled influence and exposure.

THEHONOURABLEMINISTEROFMINERALRESOURCESANDENERGYMRGWEDEMANTASHE(MP)(Courtesy:AfricaEnergyIndaba)

The Africa Gas Forum looked at country-specific opportunities and common issues affecting the region, including exploration, licensing, development plans, new tax regimes, regional infrastructure projects, pipelines, LNG terminals, security, local content initiatives, investment requirements, and upcoming projects.

Another was the IPP & PPA Conference held in conjunction with the Gas forum looked at the regions of Africa facing power shortages, load shedding, and the growing demand for energy, with a significant international investor focus on African energy projects and the role of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). This event offered an opportunity to discuss overcoming challenges presented by wheeling, address bankability issues, and exploring the role of hybrid power facilities and thermal technologies in the IPP/PPA sector

In closing, the event statement by Ms. Liz Hart sums up themood:

"We are elated with the success of this year's Africa Energy Indaba," said Liz Hart, AEI founder and organiser. "The event brought together some of the brightest minds from across the energy realm, and we are confident that the discussions and collaborations that took place will help to drive innovation and growth across the continent."

“We look forward to building on that momentum as we await next year’s event which is scheduled to take place from 5 to 7 March 2024 at the CTICC in Cape Town.” stated Liz Hart. RDJ Publishing as a media partner agrees and hopesdearreadertoseeyoutherenextyear!

As always the conversation continues and we can be reachedat briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

2AttendeestotheExhibition(Courtesy:RDJPublishing)

R E N E W A B L E E N E R G Y

Water Evaporation Rates: The Benefits of Floating Solar

AUTHOR: Hannah Brendell PolicySpecialist-Intern@RDJConsulting

Water and the future of water spurred UN Water to bring together global leaders, ministers, and changemakers to discuss SD 6 indicators and the

progress made In consideration of World Water Day 2023, RDJ Publishing through the RDJ Briefing, features “Floating Solar”.

UN Water states that “Access to water and sanitation is a human right A well-managed water cycle underpins progress across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in relation to hunger, gender equity, health, education, livelihoods, sustainability, and ecosystems”

Evaporation requires a lot of energy, and that energy is provided by solar radiation (basically the Sun). the level of ambient humidity is also a factor in evaporation rates

Thus, it is not surprising that evaporation rates are higher in areas of the globe that generally experience higher ambient temperatures

Renewable energy can be used to provide energy that can activate cooling systems, but this then requires a surface area to place say solar panels to produce that energy. Hence, Floating Solar, also known as floating photovoltaic (FPV) or floatovoltaics is a method of setting a solar array on top of bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs, dams, or ponds to generate electricity

There are various reasons and benefits for having floating solar systems but some of the main ones include Water conservation where the water surface covered means less water is lost to evaporation which is especially useful to water-stressed countries. Land resource conservation

FloatingSolarfarmCourtesy:Canva

through which solar arrays are placed on top of bodies of water means more land is available which is especially important in densely populated regions. Convenient operations and maintenance due to water sources often being located close to where people reside there are fewer barriers such as distance from point of generation to point of need to overcome This ultimately means maintenance and operations of the floating solar array will be easier to manage. Power generation improvement: due to water being a good cooling medium, the temperature of floating solar panels is kept lower than roof-mounted solar PV plants which allow for higher electricity generation as efficiency losses are lowered

Despite the benefits of FPV there are obstacles that need to be considered The lifespan of floating solar is between 25 to 30 years but due to its proximity to water it faces unique challenges such as equipment corrosion which means it often requires more maintenance than other solar systems. Additionally, require 10-15% higher capital investments than land solar projects

The conventional intermittency issues due to both movement of the sun and cloud cover that plague solar would still exist for floating solar but there is the potential to use it as a backup particularly with hydropower and general water reservoirs. Not only would they allow for the added benefit of lowered evaporation, allowing for more stable electricity production but they could also feed into the existing grid networks and support pumping operations

The growth of floating solar is currently depicted in the various projects gaining traction across Africa In 2022, Tunisia started operating its first floating solar plant The floating solar plant would add an extra 265MWh annually of clean energy to the national grid operated by Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) In South Africa smaller floating solar projects, particularly on farms, are happening more frequently and in some cases are even replacingconventionallandbasedsolarprojects

When it comes to potential floating solar projects there are developments underway to look at floating solar withstanding rough waters like on the open ocean Countries such as Norway already have operational openoceanfloatingsolararraysintheSingaporeStrait Should these developments take off they have the potential to make electricity access to large percentage of the global populationlivingclosetotheoceansmucheasier

WheredoyouseepotentialforfloatingsolarinAfrica?Share your thoughts with us at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa as theconversationcontinues.

Readings:

https://www unwater org/about-un-water

https://www sciencedirect com/topics/earth-and-planetarysciences/water-evaporation

https://joint-research-centre ec europa eu/jrc-news/floatingsolar-panels-african-hydropower-reservoirs-2021-02-26 en https://joint-research-centre ec europa eu/jrc-news/floatingsolar-panels-african-hydropower-reservoirs-2021-02-26 en https://www iberdrola com/innovation/floating-photovoltaic

FloatingsolarCourtesy:GettyImages

W A T E R

Water Harvesting: A Namibian Flood Mitigation Oshanas

AUTHOR: Hannah Brendell PolicySpecialist-Intern@RDJConsulting

Not a new matter but definitely a crucial matter, in the March Briefing of 2022, we looked at flood control through the use of remote sensing in north-eastern and north-central areas of Namibia. Remote sensing allows Namibian officials and municipalities to receive advanced warnings of flooding and in turn properly prepare

Despite the usefulness of remote sensing in flood awareness and notification, it is but one of the strategies that can be employed when it comes to preventing some of the negative impacts of floods. What else can be done to help mitigate flooding? The answer just might be Flood Water Harvesting which we will be exploring in this edition

Flood Water Harvesting (FloodWH) “is a method of informal irrigation using the floodwaters of a normally

dry water course or riverbed” like with the Oshanas in Northern Namibia According to the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) There are generally two (2) types of Flood Water Harvesting namely,

floodwater harvesting within streambeds, where turbulent channel flow is collected and spread through [area] where the crops are planted; flood water diversion, where the floods - or spatesfrom the seasonal rivers are diverted into adjacent embanked fields for direct application ”

As seen with the flooding in Northern Namibia once again in mid-January and February this year (2023), the country is flood prone The recent floods resulted in significant problems such as the destruction of property, displacement, school closures, and the destruction of crops

TheCuvelaiBasin,atransboundarywetlandareasharedbyAngolaandNamibia(Courtesy:CUVECOM)

Flood Water Harvesting has already been introduced in Namibia through various pilot projects such as the German-Namibian research project, led by the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) titled CuveWaters project and implemented in 2012 in Iipopo, a village in the Oshana region of Namibia before being handed over to the Namibian Government in 2015. The project aimed to redirect flood waters by motor pumping water from Oshanas during the peak rainy season which would then be stored in nearby reservoirs

CuveWaters summarised the communal approach to floodwater harvesting like this:

“The pilot plant for the storage of Oshana floodwater is a combination of different storage options (see figure below) It consists of an underground tank and two ponds, one with a shade net roof and one covered by corrugated iron

The pilot plant has a total storage capacity of 400 m³. The water is intended to be used for irrigation purposes in the greenhouse and in an open garden area. Market-ready vegetables can be grown inside the greenhouse, since the plants are protected from direct sunlight, wind, and pests ”

Developments like these, if explored further, implemented and maintained have the potential to reduce flooding, while improving water availability,

providing sustainable jobs in the agricultural industry for peopleconsistentlynegativelyimpactedbyfloods

The Namibian government has recently pledged to develop and rehabilitate several earth dams valued at approximately N$ 98 million (USD 5 5 million) in northern flooding hotspots such as in the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshikoto, Kavango East and Kavango West regions. Earth dams would capture and store rainwater which would not only reduce flooding but would also help address water shortages in times of drought, which Namibia is also proneto.

Oncethisprojectisimplementedtherewillbeaneedto…

Readings:

https://www cuvecom org/the-river-basin/

https://www unescwa org/sd-glossary/flood-water-harvestingfloodwater-harvesting

https://www afrik21 africa/en/namibia-5-5m-for-earth-dams-toaddress-flooding-in-the-north/ https://www.britannica.com/technology/levee

https://www aboutmechanics com/what-is-an-earth-dam htm

http://www cuvewaters net/fileadmin/edit/Downloads/Publication s/CuveWaters-Factsheet-FWH-2015.pdf

https://www geo fuberlin de/en/v/iwrm/Implementation/technical measures/Waterharvesting-techniques/floodwater harvesting/index html

https://www namibian com na/153036/archive-read/Germanexperts-help-harvest-floodwaters

https://www worldsaid com/node/1773#:~:text=The%20southeaste rn%20parts%20of%20Angola,in%20Ondjiva%20and%20surroundin g%20areas

Flood-waterHarvesting(Courtesy:ChristophTreskatis)

R O A D S A N D T R A N S P O R T

Transportation of Water: Schemes for “Needy” Communities

AUTHOR: David Junias Researcher@RDJConsulting

The maxim that “water is life” will never get old!

So, even though we require access to water every day, it is unlikely that all of the accessible water is safe to drink. This then adds to the challenge of bringing the world closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) "clean water and sanitation for all". Today, nearly 1 billion people in the developing world don't have access to clean and safe drinking water according to the Water Project Inc

In South Africa, due to a lack of water infrastructure in rural settlements, rural communities are dependent upon groundwater that is sourced from local wells and pumps. As a result, in 2022, 19% of the rural population still lacks access to a reliable water supply and 33% do not have

basic sanitation services In Namibia, approximately 13% of rural households do not access potable water as indicated by the Namibian Prime Minister, Right Hon.Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila during the recent UN 2023 Water Conference. Despite Namibia doing significantly better when it comes to water access, subSaharan Africa at large continues to face challenges

Rural people in the sub-Saharan region normally meet their water needs from unsafe open water sources such as rivers, dams, and canals Research indicates that twothirds of sub-Saharan Africa rely mostly or completely on surface water. Despite the threat of horrendous diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis A which increasingly spreads due to people's linkage to using unsafe water or the lack of it, it also comes with other economical challenges

Courtesy:RDJConsulting

Such economical challenges generally include family members traveling long distances to fetch water from various sources Instead, if safe drinking water was availed closer to their homes, lives could be improved, and people would save time to spend on economically stimulating activities such as farming or running of small businesses.

Water transportation schemes

While water infrastructures such as water pipelines are not available in some places then other water transportation schemes aimed towards clean and safe water access help deprived communities and give everyone hope Many major transport corridors have been constructed side-by-side with water and electricity distribution systems Collaborative planning across these sectors could have lowered the costs and optimized economic and social benefits.

According to a World Resources Institute (WRI) study, the market for water trucking is booming in the world's most water-stressed regions: much of South Asia and parts of the Middle East, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa. The study shows data from extreme situations; for example,overthepasttenyears,inKarachi,Pakistan,the water tanker fleet has doubled, and in Lagos, Nigeria, it hasquadrupled.

Shipping drinking water: Ports can be used to deliver drinking water from other countries. Even in the same country, a port may receive potable water from either a municipal or a private supply and usually has special arrangementsformanagingthiswaterafterithasentered the port to transport this water to offshore needy communities

From agriculture to water and energy supply, there are many sectors and industries that could gain from higher, smarter investment in sustainable transport and systems Often, there are missed opportunities in joint action Even new actions such as desalination can provide water thatcouldbetransportedtoneedycommunities

This means that active transport infrastructure is needed as a means to solve the lack of safe water in water-needy areas through water transportation schemes such as:

Bulk water carriage: Vehicles can be used to transport drinking water in bulk to communities However, vehicles that can be used to transport drinking water should meet the requirements such as: being maintained at all times to a standard befitting the drinking-water industry, being marked clearly with the company name and nature of b

Whatotherwaysdoyouknow,tohelpsafedrinkingwater reach needy communities? The conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://cms my na/assets/documents/NIDS 2016 pdf

https://thewaterproject.org/community/profile/samiha-yusof

https://www rainharvest co za/2012/05/bulk-water-transport-asolution-to-water-scarcity/

https://www ncbi nlm nih gov/books/NBK310823/

https://www nmdhb govt nz/assets/Uploads/Guidelines-for-safecarriage-drinking-water-jun-2008 pdf

https://mg co za/news/2022-08-02-basic-water-services-in-southafrica-are-in-decay-after-years-ofprogress/#: :text=Current%20coverage%20of%20access%20to,adv ancement%20of%20the%20white%20minority https://www wearewater org/en/when-water-travels-bytruck 353291

https://na usembassy gov/handover-water-tanker-trucks/

"Access to water for all requires bigger investment and coordination among sectors and different development partners." Prime Minister Hon Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila

Courtesy:RDJConsulting

NAMIBIA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY SAFETY WORKSHOP

The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched a programme of safety initiatives as part of the implementation of the State Safety Programme and in compliance with the targets set out in the National Aviation Safety Plan 2023-2025. One of these initiatives is the introduction of safety workshops for aviation stakeholders to promote important safety topics and safety culture

These safety events have been developed by the NCAA Safety Promotion and Quality team (SPQ) who manage the State safety data collection and processing system (SDCPS) enabling extraction of safety trends and focus areas. This includes figures from the national occurrence database including incidents, accidents, hazards, findings, and safety recommendations These databases feed important safety issues into the forefront of NCAA’s attention for addressing during stakeholder events such as these workshops.

The first safety workshop was held in Windhoek at the NCAA head quarters on the 16th May 2022 and included 25 participants at the event and another 40 online participants online. The second safety workshop was held on the 29th September 2022, with 50 participants attending along with 15 online, at the Atlantic Villa Guesthouse and Conference Centre in Swakopmund.

NCAA has successfully implemented the MS Teams platform to ensure the events can be hybrid and thus cater for many more people that the limited spaces available for in-person events. The MS Teams platform allows anyone with a browser and the link to attend and does not require any installation of software like alternatives such as Zoom.

NCAA plans these workshops to be an annual event and the first workshop for 2023 is planned for April 27th at NCAA headquarters auditorium from 0900 to 1600 including lunch. This is a free safety event, open to all those involved or desiring to be involved in aviation

Those who wish to attend should please contact the NCAA SPQ department on spq@ncaa.na, it is important to book your seat, or to obtain the link for virtual attendees.

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

Interview with Ms. Nelly Cheboi

Interviewed by Ms Kina Indongo (Communications Specialist - RDJ Consulting)

Education begets hopeful, empowered individuals,whogoontoempowerand

change their communities, innovate, and impact the world We had the exciting opportunity to speakonesuchindividual Ms. Nelly Cheboi,who is on Forbes 30 under 30 list and also the CNN HeroofYear2022

Personal Journey

Ms. Cheboi grew up in Mogotio, a small village fourhoursfromNairobi,Kenya.Shedescribesher upbringingas,"one burdened by poverty".

Afterreceivingascholarshiptofurtherherstudies inAmerica,Ms.Cheboiwhoinitiallyenvisioneda very different career path for herself was then inspiredtotacklepovertyinhercommunityback homeinKenyathroughtechnology.

"I was just overwhelmed with admiration for this phenomenal woman."

Milestones and Achievements

Ms.Cheboipointsoutonenoteworthymilestonewhich isthe Zawadi school,builtinKenyawhileshewasstilla studentintheAmerica andworkingoddJobs.

After completing college, while working at a tech company, Ms. Cheboi noticed the large number of computers that were being discarded, and so she begancollectingthemandtakingthemto Zawadi.

Zawadi became the launching pad for her nonprofit TechLit Africa,whichpartnerswithschoolstoprovidea curriculum focused on self-efficacy, troubleshooting andinternetskills.Thenon-profitteachesskillssuchas coding, graphic design, audio, and video production and it is all project-based. Teachers and specialists approachthecurriculumfromacareerlenssoastudent learnstouseacomputerandothertechnologytheway they would as a professional. Currently the non-profit reaches 4,000 students in 10 schools. The next milestoneistoworkwith100schoolsalloverKenya

Afterreceivingrecognitionfortheimpact Techlit Africa made, Ms Cheboibecame oneof CNN's "Hero of Year 2022" CNN’s annual Top 10 Heroes list highlights the impactfulworktenmenandwomenareengagedinfor projects that they believe are going “to change the world” Each honouree is given US$10,000 prize to go towardstheirwork

Whatmotivatesyou?

Ms Cheboi attributes her motivation to her mothers resilience against mounting odds of poverty She recallsseeinghermotherworktirelesslytopayforher children's education “I watched her try all these businesses and fail but still have the power to get up the next day and try again I was just overwhelmed with admiration for this phenomenal woman ” Said Ms Cheboi

Education is paramount for sustainable economic growth.Howcandigitalliteracycombatpoverty? In Kenya, everyone is an entrepreneur but they have very, very small businesses Not many of them grow fromasmallbusinesstoamedium-sizedbusinessthat can employ people Therefore, Ms Cheboi hopes to end intergenerational poverty by leveraging on the growing digital economy to provide more opportunitiesforruralAfricanstomakealiving

Conclusion

Inparting,foryouthshopingtofollowinMs Cheboi's footsteps, she encourages the youth to "find a problem in your community that you would like to see change It can be anything specific to your community, and finding ways you can make an impact in your personal capacity "

YOUTH IN ACTION

Accelerating Change in the Water sector

Ms. Mwangala Maunga

Syndicated article by Zoza communications

Waterprovidesthefoundationforalllife however,challengesofaccess and

sanitation concerns mean that many inhabitants ofperi-urbanandruralareaslackaccesstoclean drinkingwater Itisthesesortofrealitiesthat Ms. Mwangala Maunga hadinmindwhenshesought to improve health and food security, find laboursavingmethods,andempowergirlsandwomenin ruralandsemi-urbancommunitiesacrossAfrica

“I am the first and only girl in my family, which alone creates expectations around me, setting an example for my brothers.

I decided to take an interest in an area where not a lot of girls are present.”

Accelerating Change in the Water sector

Ms.Maunga,isamultiaward-winningyoungscientist, innovator and child rights advocate from Lusaka, Zambia. A former student at Roma Girls Secondary School. At age 12 [2018], she invented a solar water purifiertoprovidecleanwatertobothruralandurban areas.

Inspiredbytheprevalenceofwaterbornediseasesthat exist in most African countries, Mwangala uses an innovative combination of wooden or metal sheet enclosures, black paint for insulation, heat absorbent black trays, reflective materials, sheets of glass, glue andcatchtroughstocreateherpurifiers.

In 2018, Mwangala won the "Best Inventor in the Science and Tech" category at the DStv Africa MultiChoice - Cartoon Network Powerpuff Girls’ Awards.

In 2019, she became the youngest recipient of the "Brenda Muntemba Award" asan(EmergingYoung

AfricanLeader)atthePUSHWOMENAWARDS.

In August 2020, she was the youngest and only ZambianspeakeratthevirtualInternationalYouthDay which featured the Youngest Deputy Minister of Information and Technology from Namibia, Hon. EmmaTheofelus.

In 2021, she registered an organisation as Girl Power PlatformZambia.

InDecember2021,shewontheYoungestSTEMChange MakerAwardattheGeniusEducationZambiaAwards.

SheiscurrentlytheZambiaNationalSTEMFoundation brandambassador.

MwangalaMaungaisatestamentthatyoungageisan advantage and not a limiting factor. She is passionate aboutScienceandTechnologyandhasfoundwaysto integrate it in practical ways that foster sustainable developmentandempoweryounggirls.

TENDERS & CAREERS

DATES:20APRIL -28APRIL

Bank Windhoek

Description: Bank

Windhoek hereby invites eligible and experienced registered companies to submit a proposal for cleaning services for the Windhoek area branches, buildings, agencies and ATMs

Bid Closing Date: 28 April 2023

NamPower (Pty) Ltd

Description: NamPower (Pty) Ltd hereby invites qualified, competent and registered companies to submit bids for the following: Construction of a perimeter fence between the main entrance and tail race for Ruacana Power Station, Ruacana Please confirm the closing date and time as it was not published

Bid Closing Date: No closing date

The Namibia Training Authority (NTA)

Description: The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) hereby invites bids through the Open National Bidding (ONB) procedure for the following: Supply and delivery of Information Technology Hardware to the NTA

Bid Closing Date: 20 April 2023

The Namibia Training Authority (NTA)

Description:The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) hereby invites bids through the Open National Bidding (ONB) procedure for the following: Supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of welding and metal fabrication workshop equipment and machineries for Gobabis Vocational Training Centre

Bid Closing date: 20 April 2023

Description: The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) hereby invites bids through the Open National Bidding (ONB) procedure for the following: Supply and delivery of motor vehicles to the NTA.

Bid Closing date: 20 April 2023

Government Garage

Fleet

Description: Bids are invited for the following: Service, repair and overhaul of all vehicles up to 4 ton and motorcycles for the Government Garage

Fleet

Bid Closing date: 24 April 2023

DATES:06APRIL-24 APRIL

Woker Freight Services

Position: Administration Clerk

Closing Date: 07 April 2023

Namibia Dairies

Position: Manager

Agronomy Closing Date: 10 April 2023

NDTC Position: Communications

Graduate Trainee

Closing Date: 06 April 2023

PWC Namibia

Position: FIA Compliance Officer

Closing Date: 08 April 2023

Old Mutual

Position: Salaried

Financial Advisor

Closing Date: 24 April 2023

O&L Leisure

Position: Reservationist

Closing Date: 07 April 2023

MVA Fund

Position: IT Technician:

Endpoint Support

Closing Date: 06 April 2023

Rössing Uranium

Position: Administrator

Business Improvement

Closing date: 07 April 2023

FNB NAMIBIA

Position: Branch Manager

Closing Date: 06 April 2023

Position: Portfolio

Consumer Manager

Closing Date: 06 April 2023

C O N T R I B U T I N G A U T H O R S

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