SASSCAL believes the key to sustainable water resource management in Southern Africa is to empower the youth in this field.
Governing Board Chairperson, Professor Gabriel Luis Miguel, reaffirmed SASSCAL’s commitment to empowering the youth in Water Resource Management Studies, a key pillar of sustainable development and as a beacon of hope.
He emphasised that SASSCAL has prioritised supporting young scientists and experts to pursue their studies in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as this approach harmonises ecological sustainability, equitable access, and socio-economic development, ensuring that water becomes a tool for unity rather than division. The remarks were made by Professor Miguel on 7th February 2025, during a brief interaction session with SASSCAL Governing Board Members, the Vice-Chancellor of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Professor Erold Naomab, SGSP-IWRM Students, and the Secretariat.
Professor Miguel further remarked that despite the fundamental importance of water security to the SADC countries, efforts to bring the increasing water scarcity and unsustainable water resources management issues into a collaborative academic, economic, environmental, political and social platform remain unrewarded.
To bridge this gap, SASSCAL together with NUST are positioning themselves to practically contribute to the strengthening of expertise in the region’s water sector.
During the Session, Vice-Chancellor Professor Erold Naomab welcomed the SASSCAL Governing Board to the institution and emphasised that this year is extra special because NUST will be celebrating 10 years as a University. “I am delighted to announce that SASSCAL will be right here with us, celebrating the successes and impacts we have achieved together on the ground. From research advancements to student achievements, we will use this milestone as an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and more importantly where we are headed to.”
He also commended the SGSP-IWRM students, stating, “Many of you are reaching the final stretch of your studies, and I know this is both an exciting and challenging time. What you are doing, contributing to water security is huge. It should never be taken lightly. You are not just earning degrees; you are actively shaping the future, solving critical challenges, and making a tangible difference on the ground.”
The Vice-Chancellor further reiterated that at NUST, knowledge is not pursued merely for its own sake but must be translated into action. He urged students to guarantee that their work should ensure that communities have access to clean water, that policies are informed by science, and that sustainable water management becomes a reality, rather than just a topic of discussion.
A Milestone Year for SASSCAL and NUST
SASSCAL’s Interim Executive Director, Dr. Budzanani Tacheba, encouraged students to remain in the region (Southern Africa), after completing their studies so as to locally invest their newly acquired technical expertise in water resources amidst the many opportunities available globally. He further noted that as SASSCAL continues to grow and strengthen its Centres of Excellence across member states, the organisation will seek guidance from its sister organization, the West Africa Science Service Center for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (WASCAL), which has successfully established its own Centres of Excellence Graduate Schools.
The SASSCAL-supported thirteen PhD students are currently progressing their studies and are expected to graduate this year. A new SGSP cohort is anticipated to commence in 2026. SASSCAL is also preparing to launch a new regional study Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Agriculture, Food Security and Land Management in Angola during this year.
The event was graced by esteemed members of SASSCAL’s Governing Board, including:
Prof. Gabriel Luis Miguel – Chairperson, representing Angola
Dr. Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare – Vice-Chairperson, representing Namibia
Mr. Balisi Gopolang – Board Member, representing Botswana
Dr. Verena Hebbecker – Alternate Board Member, representing Germany
Mr. John Lukonde Chongo – Alternate Board Member, representing Zambia , and
Ms. Alexandria Angala – Alternate Board Member, representing Namibia.
