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Investiture of the incoming president

Thanks to Ralph

I would first like to thank Dr. Ralph Heath as outgoing President for his loyal service and support during his term of service.  This included his years on Council, as 2^nd and 1^st Vice President and then the past year as President.

Ralph did not save himself in the past years.  His dedication, his leadership role and his professional way in which he managed the Presidential activities will be remembered for many years.

He has still a lot of work to do in the next year as past President and will still serve on the BOD and Council.

With that I would like to honor Ralph by issuing a special certificate of appreciation for service to WISA as President in the year 2001/2002.

INVESTITURE OF INCOMING PRESIDENT

I first would like to thank our WISA Members for their vote of trust to elect me in this position.  I am proud to be associated to an Institute like WISA, an Institute with a long and healthy history.

I would like to thank the Council as well as the Board of Directors for their support.

I would especially like to thank my wife Fransie (present here) for her loyal support and understanding during the past 25 years of involvement in my career at ERWAT and WISA activities, coming home late, working at home and all those known grinders.

I would like to thank my Company ERWAT (East Rand Water Care Company) and our Chief Executive Manager Mr. Pat Twala as well as our Chairlady of the Board of Directors, Me. Makhosazana Twala for their support.

I would like to thank my own colleagues for their loyal support in the day-to-day management activities as well as the 100’s of Friends in the Watergate.

When I page through the past 65 years of History since 1937 up to now and I look at the activities of WISA.

First as The Institute of Sewage Purifications then through the years 1967 (PJG Meiring) when it was known as The Institute of Water Purification Control.

And since 1987 (DW Osborn) as President of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA).

The important work done by the different Secretaries since 1938             
(KA Murray).

Our first Director (PF Theron) in 1994 up to the present Chief Executive Officer WPN L�tz in the year 2000 and still.

For me there lies an exciting and challenging year ahead with a lot of opportunities to work with.

Our Council as well as our B.O.D. will form an integral part of our Management Structure.  We have to focus on new Strategies and the enormous range of opportunities, which will serve you as Members to the utmost best of our abilities.

My focus will be on further developing the excellent work been done in the past with the support of our CEO the B.O.D. and the Council. 

IMPORTANT FOCUS POINTS FOR THIS YEAR WILL BE:
 

•           We have to focus on a healthy financial and supportive Administrative basis.

•           The present Legal Status of Article 21 Companies like WISA changed as far as the
 tax status are concerned and they become liable for taxation.

•           OUR MISSION : 

-       The Water Institute of Southern Africa provides a forum for the exchange of information and views to improve water resource management in Southern Africa. 

The power of our Members the know-how, the technology and the Research efforts must not be underestimated. 

-      The World Summit 2002 on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in August 2002.  Our active role, and a responsible way of getting our members involve and committed to the agenda to support the importance of Water Conservation and re-use as well as the involvement of joint ventures with other groups. A working group under the able leadership of Dr. Herman Wiechers deserves special mention for their programme up to now.

-      Members / Membership / Membership Categories. Our new set of rules where it was structured to accommodate all people from all walks of life.

WISA’s Membership Grades have been reviewed. The new criteria have been as a result of the changing dynamics within WISA to expand its Membership without losing its professional status and to maintain and expand its role as the pre-eminent association for water professionals in South Africa and to WISA needs to maintain our proud history of South African Water. The blending of our “intellectual capital” with the challenges of younger members to ensure that we have some for all in the future and that our members enjoy the benefits. 

-      We must never forget that most of the activities in WISA and the involvement of members are through volunteerism worldwide there emerged a trend of a decline of volunteerism. 

The Board took decisions that although changes are needed to ensure the continued relevance, viability and sustainability of WISA that the inherent character of WISA will not changed. WISA will remain true to its origins and will continue to serve the interest of its members as originally envisaged. 

-      Our electronic communication system were upgraded and as you have heard today the WEB is a must to go and visit complementary to the CD presentations and the WEB there is a lot of info available to our Members, to our Branches and Divisions it also include the Articles of Association of the Company, the Operations Policy, the Membership rules and many other topics. 

-      Finally, I would like to ask you and remind you as our Members of your continued support and understanding. For myself, for our BOD and for each of our Council Members, please support our presentations, please support our evening meetings and please inform us of your needs.

I thank you.