Bloemfontein, South Africa — As the 2nd SADC-GMI Winter School enters its third day at the University of the Free State, the programme is already living up to its promise: bringing together the region’s brightest young minds to tackle one of Southern Africa’s most pressing yet often invisible challenges: groundwater security.

Twenty-one Young Professionals from eight SADC Member States: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have converged in Bloemfontein for two intensive weeks of learning, collaboration, and cross-border knowledge exchange. The 2026 programme delivers two weeks of immersive learning blending hands-on theory, real-world fieldwork, and invaluable professional networking.”

A Call to Challenge and Connect

The Winter School opened with a compelling ceremony led by Professor Mahlako Makgahlela, Vice Dean of Research, Innovation, and Postgraduate Studies at the University of the Free State‘s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, alongside SADC-GMI Executive Director Eng. James Sauramba

In her opening address, Professor Makgahlela set an ambitious tone for the two weeks ahead, urging participants not to simply absorb information, but to actively engage with it. “Expand your perspectives, sharpen your cross-border knowledge, and don’t be afraid to challenge one another,” she told the young professionals — a call to turn the Winter School into a space for genuine intellectual exchange, not passive learning.

Eng. Sauramba echoed this sentiment, describing the Winter School as far more than a training programme, it is a deliberate, strategic tool through which SADC Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI) is building the next generation of leaders to close critical capacity gaps in the groundwater sector. “It is important to ensure that future leaders in sustainable groundwater management for water security in the SADC region are developed and skilled,” he said. As the region’s Centre of Excellence in sustainable and equitable groundwater management, SADC-GMI views initiatives like the Winter School as essential — not just for meeting today’s water security challenges, but for safeguarding the region’s water future for generations to come.

Collaboration in action! Young Professionals exchanging ideas and perspectives during a group discussion session

Two Days, Six Critical Themes

Day 1 and Day 2 set an impressive academic pace, with Eng. Sauramba and Ms Batanayi Gwangwa leading sessions on some of the most pressing issues in groundwater management today:

• Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) in groundwater projects,
• Community engagement and social licensing,
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations and sustainability,
• Translating field evidence into policy and investment decisions,
• Building technical and policy leadership in groundwater governance, and
• Complexities of transboundary groundwater management across SADC

For many participants, these sessions weren’t just informative — they were transformative.

Hope Esa Mapindani, a Young Professional from South Africa, described the experience as eye-opening: “It’s been immensely productive in helping me understand the technical, policy, and leadership sides of groundwater governance. It’s given me a full, 360-degree view of what it actually takes to protect this resource.”

For Lawrence Ndere from Zimbabwe, the groundwater policy module struck a particular chord. “Policies are only as strong as the data behind them,” he reflected, underscoring how data-driven decision-making is fast becoming the backbone of effective groundwater governance. He also highlighted the weight given to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments over the first two days — pointing to a clear takeaway: communities must remain at the centre of project development, since they are ultimately the ones who stand to benefit — or suffer — from groundwater initiatives.

Day 3: Turning Knowledge into Investment

With the foundational discussions on governance and policy behind them, the Winter School has now shifted gears. Day 3 is focused squarely on the money question: how to fund groundwater projects that matter.

Sessions in the afternoon are unpacking funding proposal development, financing models, and partnership strategies for water innovation — equipping participants with the practical tools needed to move projects from concept to reality. It’s a timely and necessary pivot: without sound financing strategies, even the best-designed groundwater policies risk remaining on paper.

Looking Ahead

The Winter School runs until 14th August, with much more in store for this cohort of emerging groundwater leaders. As the programme unfolds, one message is already clear: the future of groundwater management in the SADC region is being shaped, right now, by professionals like Hope, Lawrence, and their 19 fellow participants — armed with fresh knowledge, sharpened by critical debate, and driven by a shared commitment to water security across borders.