Prof Paul Oberholster, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) at the University of the Free State (UFS), delivered a compelling keynote at the South African Association for Water User Associations (SAAFWUA) Conference 2025, stressing the need for collaboration across all sectors to address South Africa's water security issues. “Developing resilience in water security demands cooperation from every stakeholder – government, industry, academia, and communities,” he said, emphasising that water security solutions must combine technological innovations with nature-based approaches.

He highlighted the importance of integrating both top-down and bottom-up approaches, as demonstrated in the Olifants River rehabilitation project, where the combination of community engagement and government leadership played a pivotal role in success. “Both approaches are essential,” Prof Oberholster added, underscoring the importance of alignment between diverse stakeholders to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Prof Oberholster highlighted that domestic wastewater and acid mine drainage (AMD) are ‘the biggest obstacle’ to sustainable water management. AMD significantly lowers water pH, disrupting ecosystems and contaminating water sources, particularly in mining regions such as the Witbank coalfields. “AMD disrupts food webs, kills aquatic life, and pollutes water resources,” he explained.

He advocated for ecological engineering solutions, such as wetlands and algae, which purify water without chemicals or electricity. “Ecological engineering utilises natural systems to remediate water,” Prof Oberholster said. These systems can be scaled through public-private partnerships and low-tech innovations such as algae cultivation. He also emphasised that wetlands act as ‘ecological infrastructure’, offering services such as nutrient removal, habitat restoration, and waste assimilation, with the Zaalklapspruit wetland valued at $28 to $42 million annually in ecosystem services.

The presentation also focused on the critical role of local champions in driving long-term water security progress. Prof Oberholster drew lessons from the Olifants River rehabilitation project, where the engagement of local champions – individuals respected across sectors – was key to bridging divides and ensuring successful, sustainable outcomes. “The presence of local champions, rather than activists, was instrumental in achieving tangible results,” he said, explaining that champions can unite stakeholders and foster cooperation, while activism may risk polarising them.

He further explained that local champions advocate for practical, science-based solutions, ensuring that collaboration is more productive and solution-focused. “Activism may occasionally result in the polarisation of stakeholders and the postponement of collaboration,” Prof Oberholster noted, reinforcing the importance of champions in driving forward meaningful change.

This message resonated with the conference attendees, including Eurica Scholtz, CEO of the Berg River Water User Association, who praised Prof Oberholster for emphasising the importance of working with champions and prioritising wetland rehabilitation.