WRC to implement FETWater Phase III project

THE Water Research Commission (WRC) and the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 21 May appointing the WRC as the implementing agent for the Framework Programme for Education and Training in Water (FETWater) Phase III, which runs until 30 September 2017.

FETWater is a joint UNESCO, Belgian and South African knowledge-transfer and capacity-building programme linking learning resources and training capacity to integrated water resource management expertise in areas where they are needed most.

Being considered in Phase III are the advancement of technologies in water space, climate change and variability, and strengthening of the water regulatory system. They will also include the development of regulatory tools and local government capacity building using water as a catalyst for economic growth and development, and developing stronger inter-governmental relations, specialised skills and knowledge to manage water while taking into account the whole value chain and more importantly, indivisibility of the hydrological cycle.

The most crucial directive of Phase III will be the National Water Resources Strategy 2 (NWRS 2). It will be guided by the priorities set in NWRS 2 for the next five years.

A programme that has come a long way

In 1996, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) requested support from UNESCO in assessing education and training needs for integrated water resources management in South Africa. One of the main findings of the study was the limited capacity of the then DWAF and the water sector to implement the future National Water Act.

FETWater aimed to develop and transfer knowledge in order to build a critical mass of water scientists and facilitate the process of implementing the Act. 

As at end-2009, 1,052 professionals in the South African water sector received training through the FETWater programme. Training materials were produced and two groundwater tests sites were developed at the universities of Pretoria and KwaZulu-Natal. Emphasis was given to the training of women and previously disadvantaged individuals.

Programme partners include the South African government represented by the DWA, WRC, Water Institute of South Africa, Universities/UNESCO Chairs, Flemish government, UNESCO Cluster Office (Windhoek), SANC for UNESCO IHP and the National Commission for UNESCO.