Leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari not only had an independently adjudicated best oral and poster presentation at the 7th Young Water Professionals (YWP ) conference that took place from 8 to 10 November in Stellenbosch, it also had a significant involvement in organising the event itself.
Anya Eilers from Zutari, and National Chair of the South African YWP forum, explains that the in-person event brought together young water professionals from across Southern Africa, leading the way to a sustainable and collaborative water future. YWP is the youth empowerment platform of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA). The conference afforded an opportunity to YWPs to learn, build skills, and expand their network through oral presentations, poster sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
YWPs are classified as early to mid-career professionals up to age 35, representing the next generation of specialists and leaders in the water sector. The WISA-YWP biennial conference has taken place since 2010. This year was the first in-person event since the Covid-19 pandemic. “It has a long and distinguished history in the water sector,” says Eilers. The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Creating a Sustainable and Collaborative Water Future’ under the hashtag ‘Breaking Silos’.
“There is often limited cross-collaboration between social scientists, natural scientists, engineers and other disciplines, but there was ample engagement at the 2023 conference, which was exciting. We addressed the importance of breaking silos and challenging the status quo, such as through multi-disciplinary sessions on stakeholder community engagement,” comments Eilers. The latter is significant as water and wastewater engineering represents a complex intersection of social, political, and economic factors.
Conference Chair Eugene Fotso Simo from Zutari says the need for collaboration and partnership in the industry drove the #BreakingSilos theme. “In various sectors within the water space, we have observed a lack of integration among diverse individuals who seldom collaborate as much as we envision. It is possible that our focus on this issue has influenced our perspective. However, witnessing a similar lack of integration beyond the water sector underscores the urgency for intervention.
“By actively supporting and mentoring the youth, who represent the future leaders in the water space, we aim to instil a sense of collaboration from the outset. Our goal is to ensure that the youth comprehend the significance of breaking down silos and actively participating in a cohesive movement. Through initiatives like the YWP Conference, we strive to make them understand the intricacies of fostering collaboration and the impact it can have in the years to come,” says Simo.
Commenting on the conference’s outcome, Mohamed Gulamhussein, Scientific Programme Committee Lead from Zutari, . Over 130 delegates attended the 2023 conference, which was planned and organised in just over six months, and taking place at a critical juncture in terms of South Africa’s infrastructure deficit in the water sector in particular.
“The fact that we had not had a physical event for four years meant there was an urgent need for young water professionals to meet each other, collaborate, and share their ideas and energy, as they represent the next generation that will have to grapple with complex issues facing the water space,” concludes Gulamhussein.
Zutari was further represented by the following staff members:
- Frankie A’ Bear: Winner of Best Oral Presentation
- Jaco Luus: Winner of Best Poster Presentation
- Jana Du Rant: Poster Presentation
- Christian Le Prince Polorigni: Oral Presentation
- Danielle Simpathee Goho: Poster Presentation
- Anya Eilers: Opening Plenary Oral Presentation
- Eugene Fotso Simo: Opening Plenary
- Timothy Carolus: Oral Presentation
- Dan Petrie: Conducted a Workshop
