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Home > News archives > Presentation by Dr. Elsie Meintjies
 
29
May 2000
Dr
Elsie Meintjies comments on the transition of WISA
In January this year the Water Institute of
Southern Africa (WISA) became a Section 21company - just one step towards
fulfilling its plan of being a representative organisation geared to meet
the needs and demands of the water sector in southern Africa today.
Dr Elsie Meintjies, outgoing President of
WISA shared her thoughts on the transformation of an institute that has
enjoyed many successes, and is well respected among its members.
"No institute can survive unless its
management clearly understands the needs of its members and then delivers
on these needs. In addition, when a country and a region goes through
significant transition, a professional body worth its salt should align
itself with such change. I believe that WISA has made great strides of
late to meet some of the challenges before it," Dr Meintjies
commented.
Outsiders may see the term Water Institute
and be inclined to think this is a simple and clear cut organisation to
run. "The fact is that few beyond our industry understand how
multi-faceted the water sector is and just how many different professions
find a home in this dynamic field," she added.
One of WISA’s great challenges has been to
keep up with the ever-increasing disciplines entering the water industry.
The Institute is truly a multi-disciplinary organisation with a membership
list covering professions such as microbiologists, scientists, engineers,
social scientists, government officials, chemists, managers,
environmentalists and many more.
The Institute is able to offer its members a
professional, discreet and non-threatening forum to exchange their ideas
in confidentiality (where required) and in a spirit of transferring
information to the benefit of the water sector and the country at large.
As a result of the diversity of membership
specialists additionally enjoy the input of colleagues from other
disciplines, but with a common purpose and goal.
Another aim is for WISA to increase its
interaction with industry. Although the Institute has always been involved
with industry in the sector, it now hopes to influence and assist all
industry that uses water, impacts on the resource and makes a contribution
to the operations of the water sector.
Meintjies mentioned the example of recent
interaction with the Plumbing Institute of South Africa. The plumbing
industry has a direct influence on water utilisation and the consequent
consumer adherence to the goals of water conservation. WISA has offered
its expertise and knowledge to the plumbing industry with a two-fold
objective in mind. Firstly, to create an awareness about water legislation
and policy and the resultant obligation of plumbers. The second thrust is
to influence that fraternity to take consumer rights and needs to heart.
Yet another role the Institute wishes to
embrace is to offer expert opinion where it is required in the region.
"We will put forward more position papers in the future that will
offer the region the input of the leading professionals in the water
industry. Though it is not our intention to take sides or support a
specific cause, we will offer insight, advice and guidance where we
can."
Added to this WISA wishes to facilitate
debates critical to the sector. Dr Meintjies referred to the talks around
the proposed guidelines on sludge disposal for South Africa. She said that
WISA, through one of its Technical Divisions was researching the
guidelines and preparing a report to submit to the Water Research
Commission.
A final thrust of WISA’s transition
strategy is to attract a more representative membership. "We have
targeted key individuals from diverse political and social backgrounds and
are hoping to co-opt them to our Council with the objective of obtaining
their advice to attract new membership."
One of the greatest highlights on the WISA
calendar is its biennial conference. Meintjies said this event, along with
many meetings and symposia throughout the year, offer its members great
value at an affordable cost. She commented that it is at these gatherings
that the water family really show what they are made of and prove time and
time again that WISA members are truly world class and thus contribute to
a local Institute that compares with the best in the world.
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