WRC in the NEWS
April 2016
Communication and Media: 26 March – 1 April 2016
March 2016
Proudly South African Buy Local Summit & Expo 2015
Date: 30 March 2016
Time: 9:00am - 17:00pm
Venue: Sandton Convention Cent
Background and purpose:
The WRC participated as a member of the Proudly SA campaign and had an exhibition stand at the event. The event aimed to get procurement decision makers, in both the public and private sector, to understand their role (as well as the impact of their procurement decisions) in contributing towards South Africa’s economic growth through the uptake of local products and services. An estimated 500 delegate’s participated in the summit with some 200 exhibitors showcasing their products and services.
The CEO of Proudly South African said consumers need to buy locally produced products instead of giving preference to imported goods. More info on this at https://youtu.be/AZ2b5A2D2NI
WRC Communication:
Social media platforms were engaged including WRC Web site, Twitter and Facebook. Knowledge dissemination at the exhibition stand focused on the WRC as an entity and our mandate as well as innovation in the sanitation domain. Research reports on this were also disseminated. Branding in the form of pull-up banners and wall banner.
WRC personnel:
Sudhir Pillay/Adriaan Taljaard/ Tshego Lelaka and the IT team
Business in Aquatic Ecosystems: Unlocking billions and alleviating poverty
Date: 30 March 2016
Time: 08:30am - 15:00pm
Venue: WRC (Nokeng & Pula)
Background and purpose:
The WRC has recently created a branch specifically designed to ensure research makes even more impact to our society and economy. The branch is called: Impact and Innovation. The aim of the workshop was to:
• Showcase some of the innovative products funded by WRC;
• Consult with ecologists, policy makers and relevant funders in public and private sector;
• Identify and provide suggestions on enablers and dis-enablers of natural ecosystem value chains and business; and
• Suggest new cutting edge research for future.
The workshop was managed as a round table discussion with the purpose of gaining insights from various experts. The outputs of the work will be documented for wider circulation and will be used for research purposes by the WRC and its researchers, and will also be used to inform policy.
WRC Communication:
Media: Invitation to attend the event was send out. Shuan Smillie from The Times contacted Zachary Donnenfeld, Researcher from ISS to get more detail to run an article. Follow up interviews will be arranged with Mr John Bailey from eNCA who requested to have an interview with Dhesigen Naidoo. A call was also received from safm for a follow up interview with Dhesigen Naidoo. ,
Branding: Pull-up banners
Social media: Event information were disseminated on social media platforms (Twitter, Web and Facebook)
Print and broadcast media: A media release was sent to National, Provincial and local media
WRC personnel:
CEO Dhesigen Naidoo who presented at the event; Stanley Liphadzi, Sylvester Mpandeli, Adriaan Taljaard
Parched Prospects II: Facing a dry future: water scarcity in South Africa
Date: 31 March 2016
Time: 10h30 - 12h30
Venue: Conference room, ISS Pretoria, Block C Brooklyn Court, 361 Veale Street
Background and purpose:
South Africa is currently facing its worst drought in 23 years. As of November 2015, five provinces have been declared disaster areas and water challenges throughout the country have got worse. Water withdrawals currently exceed reliable supply and the problem will only increase over the next 20 years. How can South Africa balance its water sector and reconcile future use with future supply? The seminar launched the latest African Futures paper Parched prospects II: A revised long-term water supply and demand forecast for South Africa. Using the International Futures forecasting system, this research predicts future water supply and demand scenarios and looks at possible interventions.
WRC Communication:
Media: Invitation to attend the event was send out. Shuan Smillie from The Times contacted Zachary Donnenfeld, Researcher from ISS to get more detail to run an article. Follow up interviews will be arranged with Mr John Bailey from eNCA who requested to have an interview with Dhesigen Naidoo. A call was also received from safm for a follow up interview with Dhesigen Naidoo. ,
Branding: Pull-up banners
Social media: Event information were disseminated on social media platforms (Twitter, Web and Facebook)
Print and broadcast media: A media release was sent to National, Provincial and local media
WRC personnel:
CEO Dhesigen Naidoo who presented at the event; Stanley Liphadzi, Sylvester Mpandeli, Adriaan Taljaard
Rethinking a water secure future for South Africa
Date: 31 March 2016
Time: 18h30
Venue: The Westin Hotel, Convention Square, Lower Long Street, Cape Town
Background and purpose:
Sanlam and The Mail and Guardian organised a panel discussion in Cape Town where targeted delegates were invited to discuss the topic “Rethinking a water secure future for South Africa”. This was done in partnership with WWF, Sanlam and the WRC. The CEO of the WRC, Mr Dhesigen Naidoo, was invited to be part of the panel discussion. Other panelists were Christine Colvin (Senior Manager, Freshwater programmes WWF), Mr Rashid Khan (Regional Head: Department of Water and Sanitation) and Dr. Nicole Kranz (Country Coordinator International Water Stewardship Programme GIZ). The discussion and interaction with delegates were chaired by Koketso Sachane (Cape Talk and 702).
WRC Communication:
Media: Exposure of the event and discussions will be communicated by The Mail and Guardian as well as Cape Talk and 702.
WRC personnel:
CEO, Dhesigen Naidoo/ Adriaan Taljaard
WRC in the media
25 March
OFM News: Heading - Long term view critical to secure future water resources: Implementing the Water Administration System (WAS). It is a system that was developed in partnership with the Water Research Commission (WRC), looking at improving irrigation water use efficiency. Full story link: http://www.ofm.co.za/article/news/181859/long-term-view-critical-to-secure-future-water-resources
26 March
AgriOrbit: Heading - World Water Day: Four fundamental changes needed. Long-term planning is needed to include better buffered supplies such as groundwater. The Water Research Commission (WRC) has supported pilot projects for managed groundwater recharge, water-sensitive urban design and reuse. Full story link: http://agriorbit.com/2016/03/26/27709/
Launch of MSc course in Environmental Flow Requirements
Background and purpose:
The DWS and DWS are planning the launch of the MSc environmental programme. This initiative is a ministerial event in partnership with UNESCO. Main objectives of the curriculum is the training of public and private sector candidates to a Masters level as well as designing a framework for monitoring and auditing the effects of water resource management projects.
WRC Communication:
As DWS and the minister office is involved all branding and communication will be done by the office of the DDG Communication, Matlakala Motloung, and the WRC will support in all the initiatives as certain protocols will be enforced. Further meetings will take place next week to get more clarity on the event.
WRC personnel:
Hlengiwe Cele/Zagry Scholtz/Adriaan Taljaard/ Bonani Madikizela/ CEO Dhesigen Naidoo/ Stanley Liphadzi/ Shafick Adams/ Lani van Vuuren
Thursday, Apr 28, 2016, 08:00 AM
Venue to be confirmed
Pour Flush
Background and purpose:
Launching the pour flush toilets together with the CARRS CSIR project – funded through the DST. This is a high profile community event.
WRC Communication:
The communication plan of WRC, CSIR, DST are currently working on a combined media and communication plan. To be finalised in the next week.
WRC personnel and others:
CEO, Dhesigen Naidoo as well as the DG of DST (Dr Phil Mjwara) and CEO CSIR
Friday, Apr 29, 2016, 08:00 AM
Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
WISA 2016
Background and purpose:
The theme of the conference is “Water – The Ultimate Constraint”. The theme will be supported by the following sub-themes:
· Community Water Supply and Sanitation
· Environmental Aspects
· Health Related Aspects
· Industrial Water and Effluent
· Information Technology
· Legislation
· Management and Institutional Affairs
· Membrane Processes
· Modelling
· Mine Water
· Plant Operation
· Potable Water
· Wastewater
· Development Planning
· Ground Water Remediation
· Fracking
About 14 WRC delegates will attend the conference supporting the various activities where the WRC will be involved in.
WRC Communication:
Week 11 April 2016
Internal communication via the “WRC in the news” will be sent to all WRC employees to market the WISA event and use as an e-mail signature. This will be developed via the graphic designer and implemented by IT. Information of the event will also be placed on the WRC web, Facebook and Twitter pages.
Sunday, May 15, 2016, 08:00 AM
Durban ICC
Week 18 April 2016
Profiling the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of WISA as they are both WRC employees (Jo-Burgess and Valerie Naidoo)
· Media statement profiling the two members will be send to National, Provincial and local media (print, radio and TV)
· A request to line up possible interviews will also be announced
WRC Newsletter will be send to delegates of WISA who have registered profiling the two candidates
Week 25 April 2016:
Profiling the various workshops that will be presented at WISA and the RM’s that will present
· Media statement profiling the WRC workshop topics and RM’s to National, Provincial and local media (print, radio and TV)
· A request to line up possible interviews will also be announced
WRC Newsletter will be send to delegates of WISA who have registered profiling the WRC workshop topics and RM’s
Week 2 May 2016:
Profiling the WRC 101 course and profile the WRC
· Media statement profiling the WRC 101 course and WRC profile to National, Provincial and local media (print, radio and TV)
· A request to line up possible interviews with CEO also be announced
WRC Newsletter will be send to delegates of WISA who have registered announcing the WRC 101 course and encourage participation
Week 9 May 2016:
Profile WADER
· Media statement profiling the WADER initiative to National, Provincial and local media (print, radio and TV)
· A request to line up possible interviews with CEO and Dr Manjura Sunil who is responsible for the project
WRC Newsletter will be send to delegates of WISA who have registered profiling the WADER project
Week 16 May 2016:
Exhibition stand and display
This will be developed by the “Exhibitionist” stand builders
Limited research reports will be on display as it will be available electronically
Reports will be available to delegates electronically by downloading it from and external hard drive onto a WRC memory stick
Three TV screens will be used to profile the WRC and showcase videos and research
Support at the stand will be WRC staff attending the event ( a roster for this will be developed)
Lwazi ambassador
Will be used as a marketing tool interacting with delegates on a daily base distributing “teasers” to attract them to visit our stand where they will get the opportunity to download reports. Lwazi will also be used to conduct interviews with delegates that we will download to our web site and social media platforms.
Lwazi ambassador to be identified
Interviews with WRC delegates during the course of the WISA event
Possible interviews with National, Provincial and local media (print, radio and TV) will be requested prior to the event and during the event
Research manager
Group Executives
CEO