Green Economy Journal Issue 48

WATER
ENERGY
Watershed
boundaries of
the GCR
Click here for schematic
cross section
Watershed between
Vaal River and Limpopo
tributaries
Watershed between
Crocodile West Marico
and Olifants Rivers
Provinces
Rivers
Wetlands and dams
Urban areas
Schematic cross section of the
Witwatersrand Watershed in Johannesburg
The Witwatersrand watershed
Gauteng City-Region Observatory
WOMEN in SA’s
ENERGYspace
Mercia Grimbeek, Chair of SAWEA
Our national renewable energy sector recently called for the establishment of a Gender
Diversity Charter. The response was sector-wide.
BY SAWEA
The role of
The map depicts the different ways in which water systems serve as barriers within an urban system. Rivers are visible barriers in the landscape
and are often shown on a map as a boundary between two properties. Watersheds are a less visible kind of boundary but are important in
dividing one drainage system from another.
GOING WITH THE FLOW
A lesson from Cape Town’s Day Zero experience was that when people were
told about the problems, and about how the city and their neighbourhood
were performing, they reduced their water use. Cape Town showed that
people will take difficult actions when there’s a problem they can see
and understand. It has been suggested that Rand Water should publish
monthly reports on the progress made to achieve municipal savings
targets. That is politically delicate since national ministers are reluctant to
expose their local counterparts to criticism.
So, the technical dimension of ensuring reliable water supply –
READ REPORT
[ECO]NOMIC THOUGHT
greeneconomy/the upshot
managing the dams, treatment works, pumps and pipes – is difficult. But
even more challenging is the task of motivating human interventions,
from ministers down to households.
The measure of success or failure is whether the water comes out of
the taps when needed. And too often, it’s human behaviour rather than
infrastructure that fails us.
*Mike Muller is an advisor to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu. He is board member
and technical director of Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) and an active member of other
professional associations including the South African Institution of Civil Engineers and the South African
Academy of Engineers.
Water Security Perspective for the Gauteng City Region. A report
prepared for Gauteng Provincial Government by Gauteng City-Region
Observatory. [August 2019]
Gauteng will only be water secure once there is affordable access to safe and reliable water
supplies as well as to safely managed and dignified sanitation services. This will not be
achieved by action in the water sector alone. Informal settlements present a particularly
difficult challenge.
The report outlines the sources of the province’s water and the systems on which it depends
(page 10). It considers how the province’s wastes are managed and the implications for the
surrounding region. It then reviews the current performance of the key institutions in the sector
(page 14) and identifies the emerging challenges that face Gauteng if it is to achieve and then
sustain its water security (page 16).
The Conversation/ Under Creative License
charter is intended as a framework with which the
industry measures itself and its commitments. But it is
“The
more personal than just a mechanism for impact, as this
Charter is being pursued by many of our members as a legacy for
our late CEO, Ntombifuthi Ntuli,” explained Mercia Grimbeek, Chair
of SAWEA. Hosted by the sector’s Gender Diversity Working Group,
this is a joint initiative between SAWEA and SAPVIA, the industry’s
leading associations.
Mercia Grimbeek outlines the industry’s vision
Why is there a need for a Gender Diversity Charter?
Gender diversity has become very topical in recent times, and we have
witnessed concerted efforts by many local companies in the sector
to address the gender gap. While this is commendable and certainly
encouraged, as an association we felt that assessing progress and impact
was rather subjective and not easily measurable or such that it could be
easily monitored. We have also witnessed the ravages of Covid-19 on our
industry and our economy, and this has further negatively impacted on
the work already done and future initiatives to progress gender diversity
within the industry.
As a Working Group we have heard so many examples in areas such as
recruitment, executive management and equal pay, to name a few, where
gender inequality is still rampant in our industry. We understand that this
is a global challenge, but it is time to find our local voice and facilitate
meaningful and impactful change.
What are the key objectives for the implementation of the Charter?
The aim is to launch the commitment statements on the anniversary
of the Working Group, which coincides with International Women’s
Day. This is after an extensive consultative process with leaders from
our member organisations. Due to their involvement, there is a shared
vision and ownership of the commitments to be made.
The key objectives will look at issues of representation, inclusivity, flow
of opportunity and support and accountability. We are looking forward to
the DMRE’s work with the newly launched Energy Sector Gender Ministerial
Advisory Council, which will inform the direction our charter takes.
How does gender diversity fit into the energy transformation agenda?
Gender diversity is a critical component of the agenda. The energy sector
remains one of the least gender diverse sectors, especially at decisionmaking
level. We are also mindful that the transition will require innovative
solutions and business models. Closing the gender gap will bring with it the
benefits of inclusive solutions as more women become decision-makers.
How important is it that the board reflects gender equality?
Robust discussions about industry challenges require deep insight,
multiple angles to be considered and collective experiences. A SAWEA
Board that is gender-balanced can harness these attributes to guide and
advise the CEO. When governance is good, it benefits the CEO as well as
the members of the association.
Hence, it is very important to me that the SAWEA Board reflects
gender equality. The Board represents the industry and is reflective of
industry goals and aspirations. Good governance calls for diversity in
the boardroom and in my opinion, this brings strength to the SAWEA
Board. A gender-balanced board brings with it different perspectives and
approaches to decision-making.
You were part of the Global Wind Energy Council women leadership
programme two years ago. Did it make a difference to your career?
The Women in Leadership programme was instrumental to my career
development. I was exposed to a plethora of strong, confident women
who shared knowledge and experiences. The programme allowed me to
take my learnings and implement them in guiding an industry association
and nurturing young talent emerging into the industry. Ultimately, it
encouraged me to take up a place in industry and become an ambassador
for the growth of the industry in our country.
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SA’s national
water and
sanitation plan
Current
performance
and emerging
challenges
Bulk supply:
availability,
restrictions, climate
change and other risks
Strategic
responses
to emerging
challenges
Action
plan
and way
forward
It is time to find our local voice
and facilitate meaningful and
impactful change.
What advice do you have for other women in the industry?
Be honest and vulnerable about where you are and acknowledge your
part. Don’t see vulnerability as a weakness. Seek a mentor. There is always
someone older and wiser that is willing to share their knowledge. Learn to
step back and gain perspective when things get tough. Remember what
your goal is and reframe how you want to achieve it. Believe in yourself.
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