TUT researcher comments on importance of World Water Day

Commentary on importance of observing World Water Day.

Ms Happiness Nobela World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 by the international community. The celebration serves as a reflection on the significance of water in sustaining life, livelihood, and progress. The theme of water and gender in South Africa 2026, articulated as "where water flows, equality grows, underscores the need of recognising that safe and reliable water is not just a fundamental human right but also a catalyst for gender equality.

“It evokes memories of my childhood spent in a remote village in the Sekhukhune District Municipality, where, as a young girl, I used to walk several kilometres daily after school to collect water from the community handpump and occasionally from a river. The collection of water was part of life for girls in rural areas, a time that could have been utilised to study or rest,” said Ms Happiness Nobela, a lecturer and researcher in Water Science and Technology, at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences.

“As a lecturer and researcher, I understand the commitment to advancing research, innovation, and education aimed at sustainable water management and equitable access to water and sanitation. TUT’s Faculty of Science, along with other institutions, significantly contribute to addressing water scarcity, protecting water resources and empowering marginalized communities. This contribution supports a global initiative under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2030. These efforts are achieved through research, partnerships and the education of future scientists and engineers,” she commented.