MechChem Africa September-October 2021

⎪ Water and wastewater processing ⎪

EWSETA capacitating entrepreneurs via 4IR solutions Through 4IR solutions, the Energy andWater Sector Education and TrainingAuthority (EWSETA) is capacitating entrepreneurs to address Eastern Cape Food, Energy and Water challenges.

T he Energy and Water Sector Ed- ucation and Training Authority (EWSETA) has partnered with the 4IR-AquaTechBusinessAccelerator programme, which aims to capacitate young entrepreneurswith skills througha six-month mentorship programme designed to identify, develop support, fund andupscale a newgen- eration of 4IR enabled solutions to address the Eastern Cape Province’s pressing food- energy-water nexus challenges. If onewere to contemplate the challenges South Africa faces when it comes to water alone, the task is amammothone, considering water directly affects the country’s socio- economic development, But the challenge is exacerbated by the fact that water is becom- ing an increasingly scarce resource. Based on current usage trends, South Africa is expected to face a water deficit of 17% by 2030, and this shortage will be worsened by climate change. Water in South Africa hasmoved frombeing amarginal input to a central enabler of food security, energy security and climate security. Ensuring water, energy and food security is a responsibility for all The 4IR-AquaTech Business Accelerator programme has been developed by ICRD Group Holdings, an organisation that spear- heads innovative entrepreneurship develop- ment programmes to help participants and alumni tobecomeCEOs of their own success- ful businesses inthewater andenergysectors. Its mission is to accelerate youth and women participation in the emergingGreenEconomy

According to an online article published by UNIDO’s Industrial Analytics Platform (IAP), the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is characterised by the convergence of technologies such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, new materials and advanced digital production (ADP). Ref: iap.unido.org/articles/what- fourth-industrial-revolution

(GE). Lucky Litelu, Group Chief Executive for the ICRD Group, explains the importance of this EWSETA programme for entrepre- neurs: “South Africa’s historical disparity has rendered it difficult for entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged communities to participate effectively in the mainstream economy due to lack of technical know-how, development resources, adequate financing and access to sustainable markets.” Twenty 4IR-AquaTech companies will be put through their paces on an intensive six- month training, coaching andmentoring pro- gramme, which will also see these start-ups matched with cutting edge technologies and market access opportunities. An important element of the programme is the widely- tested ‘Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management’ capacity development tool in the water, sanitation and resource manage-

ment sector, whichwill serveas akey resource during training sessions. “EWSETA is excited to be leading a pro- gramme such as this one as we are mandated to drive entrepreneur and SMME develop- ment in the energy and water sectors given the critical role theyplay inaddressing energy and water challenges and driving economic growth,” comments Mpho Mookapele, CEO for the EWSETA. “Furthermore, South Africa is rich with young minds that can drive innovative solu- tions for the challenges we face. Our role as EWSETA is to provide a platform for these young minds and ignite the passion of our innovators so they become part of the much- needed solutions that will change the narra- tive of poverty and undignified state of living for many of our people.” www.ewseta.org.za

1/4 : Verder pumps

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