A significant milestone in the South African water sector was reached in November 2024 with the launch of the Platform of Vocational Excellence (PoVE) in Water Management – the first initiative of its kind in Africa, designed to transform skills development and foster innovation. This launch is the culmination of collaborative efforts among the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the European Union (EU), Stellenbosch University, and several Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
Jointly hosted by EWSETA and the Stellenbosch University at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), the launch event underscored the collective commitment to addressing South Africa’s critical water challenges through innovation and vocational excellence. In her opening remarks, EWSETA’s Skills Delivery and Quality Assurance Executive, Robyn Vilakazi, emphasised PoVE’s transformative potential in equipping South Africans with the skills needed to address pressing water challenges. “South Africa faces an ageing workforce in the water sector, and bridging the gap between veteran professionals’ institutional knowledge and the vocational training of young entrants remains crucial. PoVE is a critical initiative to advance sustainable water management in our country,” Vilakazi explained.
Vilakazi also highlighted lessons from her experiences in the Netherlands, focusing on how successful vocational training models could be adapted to South Africa’s needs. “From my interactions with EU colleagues, I witnessed how excellence in vocational training nurtures the next generation of leaders in the water sector,” she said.
Manuel Jackson, Manager at Stellenbosch University Water Institute, expressed enthusiasm for the progress made since PoVE’s inception in 2023. “It’s a privilege to have EWSETA and the EU as key ecosystem partners in vocational education and training. We aim to expand PoVE’s reach within South Africa and partner with regional institutions, such as the Southern African and Central African Water Centres of Excellence, to amplify our impact,” Jackson noted.
Pieter Hoekstra, EU Representative and the Centre for Innovative Water Craftsmanship (CIV) Water Programme Manager, highlighted the initiative’s broader significance. “This is not just about training water professionals—it’s about shifting mindsets and encouraging responsible water use at all levels of society. From plumbers to civil engineers, everyone needs the knowledge to manage water resources effectively,” he added.
Debbie Boniswa Hene from the Department of Water and Sanitation reaffirmed the strategic role of vocational training in achieving sustainable water management and aligning with the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2030. She celebrated the progress made towards vocational excellence and reiterated the government’s support for EWSETA’s efforts.
A key highlight of the PoVE launch was the Hackathon Challenge, where Masters, PhD, and TVET students from the Western Cape joined their counterparts from the Netherlands to devise innovative solutions for real-world water challenges. Over three days, eight teams worked collaboratively to develop practical ideas aimed at addressing water-related issues, with the winning team receiving bursaries to support their future contributions to the water sector. The Hackathon was judged by three distinguished professionals, namely, Nelisiwe Mbatha – uMngeni- uThukela Water Board, Teslim Mohammed Yusuf – EWSETA and Pieter Hoekstra – Centres of Innovative Craftmanship. The Hackathon demonstrated PoVE’s commitment to nurturing future leaders in the water sector through ideation, problem-solving, and collaboration.
The launch of the Platform of Vocational Excellence in Water Management marks a significant step towards building a sustainable water future for South Africa and the African continent. As the first initiative of its kind in Africa, PoVE aims to create a long-term impact by addressing skills gaps in the water sector and contributing to innovative, inclusive, and sustainable water management practices. This initiative aligns seamlessly with EWSETA’s strategic mandate of ensuring human capacity development within the energy and water sectors, thus meeting the demands of a changing world of work.
About EWSETA
EWSETA is a skills development authority serving the energy and water sectors. It is one of 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) established in South Africa in terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998 – amended. It plays a crucial function in ensuring that the National Skills and Development Strategy is executed within the energy and water sectors.
The main areas of focus of the EWSETA are energy, and water resource sectors, as determined by the Honourable Minister of Higher Education and Training in terms of section 9(2) of the SDA, read in conjunction with Government Gazette No 33756, RG 9417, No. R1055 of 11 November 2010.
Visit www.ewseta.org.za for more information.
