A recent dialogue facilitated by the Water Research Commission (WRC) and The Gordon Institute of Business Science Enterprise Development Academy (GIBS EDA) focussed on the effects South Africa’s challenging water sector has on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

The dialogue, which took place in mid-May, did so in response to the recent launch of the ninth iteration of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) 2017/18 – 2019/20, which featured a chapter on the emerging water industry.

The panel discussion highlighted the fact that although there were many opportunities within the sector for SMMEs, these opportunities need to be made more explicit; this can only be done via collaborative efforts wherein partners facilitate these opportunities.

Founder and director of GIBS EDA, Yogavelli Nambiar, said that it is a watershed moment in South Africa and stakeholders need to be stay committed to uncovering what the water sector and its challenges mean for SMMEs that are looking to create jobs, innovate, and contribute to the economic growth the country “so desperately needs.”

According to Dhesigen Naidoo, CEO of the WRC, if South Africa can develop the necessary self-sufficiency through its own industrial strength, it will garner the ability to become a global player in the developing world as far as water security and alternative solutions go.

He also stated that South Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are critical in the next 15 years and the WRC has a fundamental role to play as regards water innovation, technology transfer and capacity building. “Passing the ball to private sector” is not the way to go, he added.

Garth Strachan, deputy director general from the department of trade and industry, said “Critical to economic growth is policy alignment and coherence. If we can get this right as government, and at the same time the private sector can better organise itself in relation to water and the emerging industry, we will make progress.”

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