The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa MP, will on Friday, 12 October 2012 preside over the opening of the Rand Water Academy in Zuikerbosch, Vereeniging.
At the gazetting of the Second Draft National Water Resources Strategy (NWRS-2) on 27 August 2012, Minister Molewa acknowledged that the shortage of appropriate skills and capability in the right places was a critical challenge in the water sector.
This includes insufficient engineers, scientists and artisans, as well as adequate leadership, governance and oversight. However, the Minister stated that within the entire water sector including government, the private sector and civil society, there are a wide range of skills that can be harnessed for the implementation of the NWRS-2.
The Rand Water Academy will officially open its doors to 130 young graduates in the fields of science, artisanship, engineering and process control. It’s a three year course, and graduates will train for 18 months at the Rand Water Zuikerbosch Water Purification and Pumping Station and complete the remainder of the project with the recipient water services authority (municipality).
The Minister will be accompanied by:
- Executive Mayors from municipalities in the Vaal Dam catchment area.
- The Director-General of Water Affairs.
- The Chairperson of the Board of Rand Water.
- The Chief Executive and Management of Rand Water.
- Students registered with the Rand Water Academy.
The opening will culminate with the Minister will addressing the assembled guests.
The media briefing will be held between 14h00–15h00.
Please RSVP for accreditation with Justice Mohale urgently. Please come with your ID or Passport to the site on 12 October 2012.
Enquiries:
Justice Mohale (Rand Water)
Tel: 011 682 0035
Cell: 083 417 6999
E-mail: Ejmohale@randwater.co.za
Sputnik Ratau (Department of Water Affairs)
Cell: 082 874 2942
