foreword
he Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) provides a forum for the exchange of information and views to improve water resource management in Southern Africa, with focus on South Africa. It has been in operation since 1937 and is the only indigenous South African organisation for professionals in the water industry. A voluntary non-profit association, WISA has one international branch and seven regional branches, plus 14 specifically focused technical divisions providing support to its 3,000 members. Its mission is to “Promote professional excellence in the water sector through building expertise, sharing knowledge and improving quality of life” by providing platforms for the promotion, integration and application of scientific, engineering and management knowledge in the water-cycle through its newsletters, magazines, events and websites. WISA has two websites to assist in promoting its aims in the water sector: www.wisa.org.za (institutional) and www.ewisa.co.za (knowledge). eWISA was born in 2006 and is known as the capacity building arm of WISA. WISA understands the dire need to capacitate people working in the water sector and as such the WISA Capacity Building and Training Strategy was developed. The strategy focuses on three key areas: Coordination, Quality Assurance and Professionalisation. Coordination is being addressed through the partnerships with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) and the Energy & Water Sector Education & Training Authority (EWSETA). WISA will address Quality Assurance through influencing the development and quality of training in the sector. Professionalisation will be addressed through the registration and professionalisation of the Process
Controllers designation. This project is one of WISA’s most important undertakings and will have a strong impact on the water sector.
WISA has recently approved the establishment of the 14th technical division whose focus will be on Water Reuse. With Southern Africa being an arid region the reuse of water has become critically important to ensure sustainable growth and development in the country” WISA has recently approved the establishment of the 14th technical division whose focus will be on Water Reuse. With Southern Africa being an arid region the reuse of water has become critically important to ensure sustainable growth and development in the country. The mission of this new division will be to facilitate the implementation of safe water reuse practice in the region. WISA is renowned for arranging the largest local water events in Southern Africa. The WISA Biennial Conferences have been running since 1987 and have been held almost every second year since then. The next Biennial Conference and Exhibition is set to take place 25-29 May 2014 in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga at the Mbombela Stadium. WISA expects over 100 exhibitors and more than 1,800 delegates. This
conference provides networking opportunities for the professionals of the sector as well as a strong technical programme which enables delegates to keep up to date with the latest advancements and research within the sector. WISA has partnered with DWA to host the Municipal Water Quality Conference, this is an important event for the sector as its main purpose is to award the top ten drinking and wastewater treatment plants in South Africa for excellence in achieving the highest standard of water quality. The most recent conference was held from 7-11 July 2013 at Sun City - the conference was well attended by over 800 delegates from both the public and private sector. The Young Water Professionals (YWP) form an integral part of WISA, these young professionals are the successors of the current stalwarts of the industry. The Young Water Professionals serve Southern Africa and have a strong partnership with the International Water Association (IWA). The YWP’s are assisting up and coming students and graduates by providing them with the platform to discuss and learn as well as hosting courses not only on technical issues but also softskills to enable the graduates the best start possible! WISA gives back to the community! As part of our social responsibility WISA visits various underprivileged schools and educates the young learners on the importance of water as well as providing them with stationery and water bottles, in addition to this WISA is also involved in various ‘career days’ where visit are made to secondary schools and learners are informed of the various career opportunities in the sector. To find out more or to join our dynamic organisation please visit: www.wisa.org.za
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