Groundwater Conference, Gauteng 17-20 October 2021

With the conclusion of the 17the Groundwater Conference and Exhibition hosted as a hybrid conference (online/in-person) in Pretoria, we are very excited to start herewith the process of debriefing on the Conference proceedings.

17 Oct 2021 08:00 - 20 Oct 2021 11:00

Pretoria, City of Tshwane. Gauteng

Conference

Groundwater
Water security
Food security
Climate change
Drought
Research
Innovation
Management
Monitoring
Protection

Event description

About this event

Message from the Conference Chair

Dear Delegate
Thank you for your support in attending the 2021 Groundwater Conference!
It was wonderful to come together again, as a community, to share knowledge, new research and innovation and to have expanded on our network at this 17th Groundwater Conference and Exhibition hosted by the Gauteng Branch of the Groundwater Division of the Geological Society of South Africa.
The Conference Theme for this year was Groundwater Resilience and Visibility and we hope and trust this Conference delivered in moving us forward in our goal to continue to build knowledge around groundwater. Thank you to all that attended and made the effort!

Kwazi Majola — ***GWD Conference Chair: Mr*** ***Kwazikwakhe*** ***Majola***

Heartfelt thank you and Acknowledgement to the following individuals that made the Conference possible:

Conference Core Committee:
Mr Kwazikwakhe Majola (Conference Chair), Mr Fanus Fourie (GWD National Chair 2020/2021), Dr Nicolette Vermaak (Science Committee), Dr Jaco Nel (National Exco- Cape Town Satellite ), Mr Yazeed van Wyk (National Treasurer), Mrs Elanda Schaffner (GWD National Coordinator), Ms Nelda Breedt (Students) and Ms Oudi Kgomongwe (Young Professionals)

Consulting Scientific Committee:
Mr Shane Turner, Dr Sumaya Israel, Prof Matthys Dippenaar, Prof Ingrid Dennis, Dr Khuliso Masindi and Dr Altus Huisamen.

Meet the Young Professionals Committee:
Angelo Johnston, Awodwa Magingi, Ntabiseng Nooe, Kopano Mokoena, Collen Nkosi, Lunga Nolakana, Kgotso Mahlahlane, Annalisa Vicente, Jani van Gend

The following Service Providers and Suppliers are thanked for contributing to this Conference with a difference in 2021:

Conference Consultancy SA – Online and Hybrid Conference Professionals
MGG – Audio Visual and IT Support
Brandibility – Conference Collateral
Clear Creative Design – Graphic and Social Media Design Studio
3S MEDIA - Conference Media Partners

Partners

Conference Theme

GROUNDWATER: RESILIENCE & VISIBILITY
RESEARCH. INNOVATE. DEVELOP. MANAGE. PROTECT.

Research and Development through Innovation must be the new narrative that shapes the developmental trajectory and future landscape of groundwater in South Africa and the world. A paradigm shift is needed by building a value chain towards demonstration and piloting to create impact by using groundwater as a tool for transformation.
On the other hand, resilience of groundwater to climate change, drought, anthropogenic activities, global pandemics, etc. can be achieved if all levels of governance can co-operate in ensuring integrated management of the resource and related information, proper development procedures, monitoring and protection; with the main focus on local municipalities. Moreover, groundwater-related policy and governance decisions should be informed by scientific research outcomes. This will promote the development of sound strategies from a groundwater perspective; and thus resulting in groundwater visibility. Hence, this all-encompassing theme was proposed. Majola. Van Wyk. Vermaak

Theme 1: RESEARCH
Theme 2: INNOVATION
Theme 3: DEVELOPMENT
Theme 4: MANAGEMENT
Theme 5: PROTECTION

Speakers

Keynote/ Invited Speakers

David Kreamer

International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH)

Topic: Keynote Address Day 1

David Kreamer, Ph.D, is a Professor of Geoscience and past Director of the interdisciplinary Water Resources Management Graduate Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Neno Kukuric

International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC)

Topic: Guest Speaker Day 1

Dr Neno Kukuric is a hydrogeologist with about 30 years of experience gained worldwide, working as a field hydrogeologist, consultant, scientific researcher and project manager. His professional interest is international water cooperation and application of informed management, encompassing technical, socio-economical, institutional and political aspects of groundwater development.

Colin Rice

Topic: Guest Speaker Day 2

Colin Rice established the Colin Rice Exploration and Training Consultancy in September 2009 with the purpose of offering consulting and training services to the exploration and drilling industry.

James Sauramba

Executive Director at SADC Groundwater Mangement Institute

Topic: SADC Groundwater Vision Day 2

Nearly 30 years high profile working experience across the SADC region backed by a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA in General Management. Lived and worked in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi and Ireland and worked in all the 16 SADC Member States.

Everton de Oliviera

Ground Water Project

Topic: Awareness Workshop Day 2

Entrepreneur and environmental consultant, founding partner of HIDROPLAN Hydrogeology and Environmental Planning, specialising in water contamination of the underground environment.

Jørgen Erik Larsen

Counsellor Water Environment, Energy, Research and Innovation at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

Topic: Workshop Groundwater Mapping & Assessment Day 1

Jørgen is a Counsellor Water Environment, Energy, Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Event Schedule

The Conference received a number of excellent Abstract submissions from the profession.
THIS EVENT WILL ATTRACT SACNASP CPD POINTS: FOR ATTENDANCE AND PRESENTATION.