Message from the Technical Committee Chair

Welcome to the WISA 2026 Conference!

On behalf of the Technical Committee, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to what promises to be an inspiring, forward-thinking, and action-oriented gathering of minds across the water and sanitation sector. As we convene under the banner “Rethink Amanzi – Securing Our Future,” we are reminded that water is not only essential to life, but also central to our region’s resilience, equity, and economic development.

Our water systems across Southern Africa face increasingly complex challenges – from ageing infrastructure and water quality degradation to climate variability and governance fragmentation. But with these challenges comes a powerful call to reimagine how we value, manage, and safeguard water for current and future generations.

The WISA 2026 Technical Programme has been designed to reflect this urgency. It brings together eight interlinked subthemes that cut across disciplines, sectors, and geographies — from digital innovation and infrastructure resilience to climate adaptation, capacity building, and inclusive governance. Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, policymaker, entrepreneur, or student, we invite you to bring your knowledge, your questions, and your creativity.

This year’s programme will feature dynamic technical sessions, high-impact plenaries, innovation showcases, workshops, and interactive panels that spotlight real-world solutions and emerging ideas. Together, we aim to strengthen networks, spark new partnerships, and co-create a collective vision for a water-secure and climate-resilient future.

We look forward to your participation and to shaping a technically rich, socially relevant, and inclusive conference experience.

David Ikumi
Chair, WISA 2026 Technical Committee
University of Cape Town