The Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley announced the official launch of the Arid Region Water Research Centre (ARWRC). This is done in partnership with the Water Research Commission (WRC).
This is a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing critical water challenges in the Northern Cape and other arid regions of South Africa. The centre forms part of a strategic collaboration. This is outlined in a five-year Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two institutions, the university stated on 4 April.
As before, water scarcity is an urgent concern across the Northern Cape. Limited rainfall, rising temperatures and deteriorating infrastructure pose serious threats to health, livelihoods, and sustainable development.
To aid with this, recent research at the SPU has exposed the urgent need for robust, science-driven solutions.
The newly launched ARWRC will serve as a national hub for interdisciplinary water research. It will focus on water quality, sanitation and public health, groundwater and alternative water sources. Water-energy-food nexus, climate change resilience in arid environments, indigenous knowledge systems and community engagement are also focus-areas.
Partnership a significant step
“This centre will not only build local research capacity. It will position SPU as a key player in driving sustainable development solutions tailored to the realities of arid zones,” says Prof. Mohamed Ahmed. Ahmed is associate professor and technical lead of the arid water programme in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences at SPU.
The WRC embarked on this partnership with SPU since March 2023. This is a strategic knowledge partner to enhance its capacity in identifying and developing solutions to the province’s water and sanitation challenges.
“Our partnership with the Sol Plaatje University represents a significant step in strengthening local capacity to address water and sanitation challenges in the province. By combining research, innovation, and community engagement, we aim to develop sustainable solutions that will ensure water security and improved sanitation services for all.
“This partnership underscores the WRC’s commitment to fostering knowledge-driven solutions for the betterment of the Northern Cape,” says Dr Jennifer Molwantwa, WRC CEO.
The centre will also support postgraduate research, training programmes and policy development, in collaboration with government, academia and industry partners.
