With parts of KwaZulu-Natal suffering some of the worst effects of the severe drought plaguing the region, Durban will play host to this year’s Water Institute of Southern Africa Conference and Exhibition (Wisa 2016) in May.
The five-day-long conference, taking place at the Durban International Convention Centre from May 15 to 19, has invited more than 100 expert speakers to dissect issues pertinent to the effective management of Southern Africa’s water resources.
The theme of this year’s event, Water – The Ultimate Constraint, carries an added import that aligns with the challenges facing the country, especially considering that planning for the biennial conference begins two years in advance, says Wisa CEO Dr Lester Goldman.
“The chosen topic carries more relevance this year than we originally anticipated [and] it is our hope that through open dialogue and debate, this conference will aid in addressing the water shortage issues we face as a nation.”
Established in the 1950s, the Wisa conference has grown to become the largest of its kind in Southern Africa, detailing issues faced by the area’s population. The event attracts around 2 000 delegates from the Southern Africa water sector, as well as international delegates from countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, China and Australia. Delegates include engineers, municipality representatives and water industry stakeholders, among others.
This year, organisers expect the number of attendees to grow exponentially, as the need for water solutions in the region grows.
The keynote address will be delivered by eThekwini Water and Sanitation head Neil McCleod.