By Luzamo Sandlana
The Water Institute of Southern Africa conference, WISA, took place on 22-24 July at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, bringing together industry experts, researchers and policy makers. TCTA was invited to take part in the conference. TCTAs participation included sharing the organisations products and services through an exhibition, the organization also provided Goitseone Kgwele, Operations Manager for Acid Mine Drainage project an opportunity for him to represent TCTA in
one of the sessions.
Goitseone, also known as Goitse in the organization, joined one of the panel discussions on Acid mine water challenges and its effect to the country’s water supply. Kgwele’s was well positioned as he is a specialist in the subject. His current role at TCTA includes strategic oversight to support the strategy and vision of TCTA in maintaining the critical water infrastructure on the
three AMD plants. This also includes giving directional leadership for the AMD team and service providers in operating and maintaining the assets. The role comes with responsibility and accountability for the organisation to carry out activities in strict alignment with established procedures, regulatory requirements (e.g. OHSAct, Water Services Act 108 of 97, PFMA) and internationally recognised standards (e.g PAS 55/ISO 55000). He is also involved in the work at the Tunnel Delivery North, LHWP.
Goitse, who joined TCTA in December 2019 told the TCTA Times that, at the time he knew very little about the organisation. “My interest in TCTA was sparked when I came across a job advertisement in a newspaper. This prompted me to learn more
about the organisation, and as I researched its role and contributions, I developed a strong interest in its work”, he said.
Before joining TCTA, Kgoitse had a short stint at PetroSA, where he realised that his real passion lay in design rather than production. He then moved to a design house (The company was called Foster Wheeler, now WOOD Plc), where he worked on a
variety of projects across different sectors. “I gained exposure to project management principles, design guidelines and industry standards while working on diverse engineering challenges. I also spent four years in the Middle East, where I worked on multiple projects for Saudi ARAMCO covering the full project lifecycle, from conceptual development right through to detailed design and operations support” he said. Kgotse said that the experience deepened his understanding of large-scale project execution. “Over time, I transitioned from oil and gas into the water sector and later shifted from design into operations as
support services, which gave me a more holistic view of asset management and lifecycle performance”, he stated.
Speaking on the WISA Conference, Goitse shared the following views with the TCTA Times: At WISA, you were part of a panel discussion, in a few words, can you highlight what were some of the key issues that were discussed
In summary, the discussion focused on whether we are genuinely prepared to manage and govern mine water over the long term, or whether we are effectively avoiding a lasting solution to the problem. The conversation explored which stakeholders are
best positioned to address these challenges and what potential solutions are currently being considered. It was further agreed that a dedicated team should be established to identify and escalate any obstacles to the Minister when necessary, ensuring that critical issues receive the required attention and support. Several companies highlighted the progress they have made in addressing mine water challenges.
However, they noted that their efforts are often hindered by regulatory constraints, particularly those relating to the classification and management of products derived from waste streams. According to these companies, regulatory requirements in this area continue to present significant barriers to implementation and innovation.
WISA is a significant platform in the sector in terms of impact, and the session which you were part of was also joined by the Minister, what did this mean for you?
The Minister was proactive throughout the conference, and I must commend the team that prepared the conference. What stood out most for me was the Minister’s clear acknowledgment that the issues raised must be properly documented and escalated using the platform that TCTA has at its disposal. That showed active leadership and a genuine drive to tackle
the water challenges we face as a collective bringing together universities, independent researchers, the private sector and government. It was encouraging to see a commitment translating into a call for tangible follow-up rather than just another conversation in a conference.
From the discussions, and maybe from the entire conference, what was your key take away
It became clearer that as South Africa, we are not short of skills, knowledge, regulations, or guidelines. What we seem to lack is alignment since we seem to be pulling in different directions even though we are all facing the same fundamental challenges. Conferences like this are valuable because they bring us together, creating a space for genuine collaboration across sectors. If we can harness that collective energy and address our water issues as a unified front including universities, researchers, government and the private sector working together, then I believe we can achieve what we all need to achieve for the benefit of the country and future
generations.
In your opinion, do you think platforms like WISA add value in terms of trying to come with solutions in addressing water challenges, and why?
Yes, I think platforms like WISA add value in addressing our water challenges. I deliberately joined one of the technical tours with the specific mindset of seeing firsthand the progress being made on research and implementation work. That experience reinforced my view and showed me that there is genuine effort on the ground to bring a much-needed balanced perspective to the conference. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, reminding us that while we deliberate in session rooms, real projects are already underway, facing real constraints and delivering real outcomes. WISA creates a space where that visibility translates into learning, accountability and cross-sector collaboration. In my view this is precisely what we need if we are serious about finding lasting solutions in the water sector.
Would you advise for other colleagues to participate in similar platforms and why?
I would strongly encourage colleagues to participate in platforms like WISA and similar industry gatherings. TCTA has a significant role to play in the water sector, and it is important that we actively share our knowledge and experiences at these conferences. We can also learn from others in the sector or even the international community attending these sessions sharing their knowledge. Our presence adds value to the sector and we gain fresh insights that can inform our own work as we transition into the Agency. There are numerous opportunities on the horizon, the AWSISA Africa & Global South Water & Sanitation Dialogue 2026 is taking place from 23–26 November 2026 at the Durban International Convention Centre. I would
urge colleagues to take part in such events, as they offer platforms for networking, knowledge exchange, and shaping the future of water management across the continent. The more we engage, the more TCTA can continue to add value, strengthen its position as a key player, and help drive the collective solutions for our water challenges.
Any other comment
I would like to thank TCTA, and in particular, HR and the PMID Management for giving me the opportunity to attend the conference. I appreciate the opportunity for allowing me to participate meaningfully, contribute to industry discussions and add value through engagement with key stakeholders. Goitseone Kgwele, left, participates in a panel discussion. Kgwele shares perspective on the long-term management of acid mine water.
