The structural nature of South Africa’s water challenges requires that skills be shared to counteract the effect that a lack of skills has on water management, says South African black-owned consulting engineering firm Gibb technical executive Wiero Vogelzang. The lack of resources at smaller municipalities and rural districts to maintain infrastructure, plan and execute water management, and remunerate skilled water professionals compound the water scarcity and poor water management challenges. Vogelzang says watershedding – cutting off water supply for periods to manage
reserves – is a reality in South Africa, with some regions affected more than others. “We can expect this to increase unless the country acknowledges and manages its water resources more effectively,” he notes.