The University of the Western Cape the Stellenbosch attended AWSISA dialoque. This three-day event brought together over 1500 delegates from across the world. This dialogue was the perfect opportunity for young professionals in various industries to learn about the water and sanitation sector, but also to gain mentorship from industry leaders. A post-graduate student at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa presented her ACEWATER III-related research.
All 11 partners attended and actively engaged at this annual symposium. Several emerging scholars and researchers working on the ACEWATER III projects presented their respective research. The Unit for Environmental Ethics at Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with NUST Zimbabwe convened a special session on transboundary water ethics, which was attended by 20 participants. The AUDA-NEPAD SANWATCE secretariat convened a special session on the review of the SADC Water Research Agenda, which was attended by about 50 participants. Dr Patrice Kabeya, the Senior Programme Officer for Water at the SADC Secretariat welcomed the audience and set the scene for the session.
The SANWATCE Secretariat and Stellenbosch Univeristy Water Institute also co-convened two special sessions related to the WASANet project (Water Security in Africa).
AUDA-NEPAD SANWATCE used the opportunity to also convene its annual network consultative meeting.
From May 12-16 2025, the University of the Western Cape in collaboration with the University of Namibia, conducted a joint groundwater field school in the Western Cape of South Africa as part of the human capacity development component of ACEWATER III Project.
This blended training course focused on applications of groundwater modelling techniques in transboundary aquifer systems, providing participants with both theoretical understanding and practical skills needed for reliable interpretation of model outputs for decision support.
The programme targets junior professionals, technicians from river basin organisations, ACEWATER III project partners, postgraduate scholars, and other key stakeholders. Female participants were strongly encouraged to apply as part of efforts to promote gender equality in the field.
Participants are developing valuable expertise in conceptual, analytical, and numerical modelling approaches through hands-on activities. The collaboration between these academic institutions, along with the CSIR South Africa, demonstrates a strong regional commitment to sustainable groundwater management across shared aquifer systems.
This field school represents an important milestone in the implementation of the ACEWATER III project’s capacity development objectives for transboundary water resource management in Africa.
The research and capacity development activities are undertaken within the framework of the ACEWATER III project, which is funded by the European Commission.
The 24th WaterNet Physics and Chemistry of the Earth Special Issue article collection is now available on the journal webpage (https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10P416RCTD2). The publisher, Elservier, has granted Network members a one month complimentary access to this Special Issue with immediate effect.
Please note that we are still receiving submissions to the 25th WaterNet
Special Issue up to 30th June 2025.
Kind Regards,
Prof. Cosmo Ngongondo
Managing Executive Guest Editor
Biophysical surveys are systematic investigations that assess the biological and physical components of an environment. These surveys are crucial for understanding the current state of an area, monitoring changes over time, and evaluating the potential impacts of human activities or natural processes. They further provide essential data for environmental management, conservation efforts, and sustainable development planning.
A significant milestone was achieved on 19-22 November 2024 with the launch of the European Union (EU) Erasmus-funded Platform for Vocational Excellence (PoVE) Water Scale-up partnership with local actors. The main aim was to initiate PoVE Scale-Up activities into the regional SADC network through the ACEWATER III project.
As part of the ACEWATER-III Project, students from the University of the Western Cape Institute for Water Studies are undertaking various research activities related to developing a standardised methodology for aquifer characterisation in Transboundary groundwater system: Zambezi, Limpopo and Orange-Senqu Basins, Southern Africa.
During the launch of the PoVE, a number of students made presentations to 31 European Union (EU) PoVE network partners on their ACEWATER-III STI transboundary water research projects.
As co-convenor of the WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium, partners from the AUDA-NEPAD Southern African Network of Water Centres of Excellence (SANWATCE) took part in the annual Symposium which took place in Maseru, Lesotho, between 30 October 2024 and 1 November 2024, with members of the AUDA-NEPAD Southern African Network of Water Centres of Excellence taking part in various sessions of the symposium. As the most prominent platform to showcase the latest research from universities and research institutions across Southern- and Eastern Africa, the Symposium further provides an excellent opportunity to engage with decision-makers and other stakeholders.
15 April 2024
The day arrived when we launched the 3rd phase of the ACEWATER project! After many months of engagements, the EURO 5mil. ACEWATER project, funded by the European Commission, will implement five main activities between 2024 and 2028.
The following activities will be implemented as part of the ACEWATER III project:
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