logo
South Africa: Orasecom Climate Resilient Investment Conference to drive funding for vital water infrastructure

South Africa: Orasecom Climate Resilient Investment Conference to drive funding for vital water infrastructure

Zawya08-05-2025

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minster, Sello Seitlholo will lead the South African delegation to the upcoming Orange-Senqu River Commission (Orasecom) Climate Resilient Investment Conference, scheduled to take place at the Avani Maseru Hotel, Lesotho.
The Orasecom Investment Conference is a critical platform for uniting stakeholders in advancing water infrastructure projects that drive socioeconomic development, improve water quality and access, and build climate resilience across Southern Africa.
Established in November 2000, Orasecom is the custodian of one of the largest river systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Orange-Senqu River Basin spans approximately one million square kilometres, covering all of Lesotho and significant parts of South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
The Commission was established to promote integrated water resource development and management across this vital transboundary basin.
Climate Resilient Investment Plan
The conference, which is taking place on Thursday, aims to raise awareness and mobilise investments to implement priority actions outlined in the Climate Resilient Investment Plan, which promotes sustainable development and water security within the Orange-Senqu River Basin.
'The event will provide a high-level platform for dialogue and collaboration between private investors, government representatives, Orasecom member states, international financial institutions, and water resource experts to drive funding and partnerships in support of vital water infrastructure projects,' the department said in a statement on Wednesday.
The conference is hosted by Orasecom, in collaboration with government of Kingdom of Lesotho, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and the four basin states, including Lesotho, South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
The department noted that South Africa strongly values its longstanding and strategic partnerships with fellow Orasecom member states.
These regional collaborations reflect a collective commitment to climate resilience, sustainable water management, and regional integration.
Through Orasecom, the region has developed an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Plan, followed by the Climate Resilient Investment Strategy.
The strategy identifies 36 priority infrastructure projects that are critical to the basin's future.
Highlighted projects include:
- Orange River Project and Noordoewer-Vioolsdrift (NVD) Intervention Options
- Lesotho to Botswana Water Transfer Scheme
- Integrated Vaal River Intervention System
- Caledon to Greater Bloemfontein Transfer
- Greater Bloemfontein Internal Resource Improvements
- Gariep to Greater Bloemfontein Transfer
Seitlholo has highlighted the importance of regional collaboration and the relevance of the conference to South Africa's water sector.
'Water knows no borders, and neither should our cooperation. The Orasecom Investment Conference is more than a funding event, it is a reaffirmation of our shared vision for sustainable development and regional integration.
'South Africa remains firmly committed to Orasecom's mission and values, and we look forward to strengthening partnerships that will ensure lasting water security for all basin states,' the Deputy Minister said.
All rights reserved. © 2022. Bizcommunity.com Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The cost of extinction - new tech calculates financial fallout of biodiversity loss
The cost of extinction - new tech calculates financial fallout of biodiversity loss

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

The cost of extinction - new tech calculates financial fallout of biodiversity loss

As the world celebrates World Environment Day today, 5 June, one European fintech company has set out to answer what is essentially a million dollar question: "What is nature really worth?" Developed by Estonia-based 'tech for good' company Endangered Wildlife OÜ, the Biodiversity Valuator is a cutting-edge software tool that calculates the financial value of species and ecosystems — from apex predators to pollinators. The platform, backed by AI and credible scientific data, gives governments, corporates, and investors the ability to measure nature's real-world value in rands and dollars. 'We've created a tool that puts biodiversity on the balance sheet,' says CEO, Shana Vida Gavron. 'It's a way to see the invisible cost of extinction.' Not just about carbon While carbon credits and emissions targets dominate today's environmental headlines, biodiversity loss has remained a vague and often invisible issue. But that's changing fast, especially as ESG and nature-related financial disclosures become global regulatory expectations. Gavron adds: 'Biodiversity loss is harder to measure than carbon, but just as critical. Our platform gives decision-makers a way to quantify their impact — and their opportunity to act.' Shark disappearance comes at a cost To show how it works, Endangered Wildlife OÜ assessed the value of the Great White Shark population in South Africa's Western Cape, where sightings have plummeted in recent years. The study, commissioned by California NGO Shark Allies, found the sharks' disappearance could cost the region more than R4.3bn ($241m) in lost ecological and economic value. Key findings included: - Tourism impact: Shark diving alone was worth over R1 billion in 2019, supporting hundreds of jobs. - Media appeal: Great Whites are international stars of Shark Week, documentaries, and marine campaigns, drawing global attention (and dollars). - Ecosystem ripple effects: Without Great Whites, seal numbers have surged — putting new pressure on fish stocks and commercial fisheries. Conservation that counts The tool is already being used by companies like Bwildi, a conservation-focused expedition company connecting donors to high-impact wildlife projects — from elephant collaring to rare species discovery. By partnering with Endangered Wildlife OÜ, they provide guests with personal biodiversity impact reports, quantifying the ecological value of their support. One collared lion, for instance, contributes an estimated $1.4m in ecosystem services. These trips aren't just bucket-list experiences — they're legacy investments. 'When people can see the value of their contribution in black and white, it changes everything,' says Gavron. As the world faces a looming biodiversity crisis, tools like the Biodiversity Valuator bring us closer to understanding the true cost of doing nothing — and the value of investing in nature. Because in an age of extinction, nature might just be our most powerful currency. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

South Africa: Turkcell opposes MTN's Constitutional Court appeal in $4.2bln Iran licence case
South Africa: Turkcell opposes MTN's Constitutional Court appeal in $4.2bln Iran licence case

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

South Africa: Turkcell opposes MTN's Constitutional Court appeal in $4.2bln Iran licence case

Court to decide whether long-running dispute proceeds to trial in South Africa. Turkcell's subsidiary, East Asian Consortium B.V. (EAC), has filed papers opposing MTN's application to the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal a recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling. The SCA judgment, handed down in April, confirmed that South African courts have jurisdiction to hear EAC's $4.2bn civil claim against MTN over an allegedly tainted telecom licence in Iran. Background to the dispute The case relates to Turkcell's long-standing allegations that MTN and its former executives used bribery to secure a GSM licence in Iran that was initially awarded to Turkcell in the early 2000s. MTN has denied wrongdoing. Turkcell's filing is the latest development in a case that has seen years of procedural delays and jurisdictional challenges. Arguments against MTN's appeal In its submission, Turkcell argues that MTN is attempting to delay proceedings and avoid a trial. The company also questions MTN's ongoing reliance on the Hoffmann Report—an internal investigation commissioned by its board—as evidence of exoneration, saying it lacked the independence and transparency of a court process. Turkcell further rejects MTN's argument that Iranian courts would offer a fair and appropriate venue for the dispute. Next steps The Constitutional Court must now decide whether to grant MTN leave to appeal. A decision is expected within three months. Turkcell is represented by Vasco de Oliveira Incorporated, with counsel Alistair Franklin SC and J.J. Meiring. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

China's BYD to nearly triple South Africa dealers' network by next year
China's BYD to nearly triple South Africa dealers' network by next year

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

China's BYD to nearly triple South Africa dealers' network by next year

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD plans to nearly triple its dealership network in South Africa by next year as it looks to grow its market share in the country, a senior executive told Reuters. BYD's move comes at a time of growing competition in Africa's largest automotive market, where sales of new energy vehicles are rising and other Chinese companies - such as GAC, Chery and GWM - are also making inroads. Launched in 2023, with its BYD battery electric Atto 3 vehicle, the automaker has about 13 dealerships. "By the end of the year, we will have about 20 dealerships around the country. The aim is to expand that to about 30, 35 the next year," Steve Chang, general manager of BYD Auto South Africa told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. BYD currently offers six models in the South African market, with its plug-in hybrid Shark pick-up, hybrid Sealion 6, and pure electric Sealion 7 SUV models launched in April, completing its hybrid and electric dual-powertrain strategy. The dealership expansion will help BYD become a fairly well-known brand and capture more buyers across a country that is slowly transitioning to electrified vehicles. In 2024, sales of new energy vehicles - a term that describes battery-powered fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars - rose to 15,611 units from 7,782 units in 2023, according to data from the automotive industry body Naamsa. While the share of NEVs to total car sales is still low, BYD is hoping to capture the market early on, in preparation for a meaningful transition, Chang said. "We want to educate and cultivate the market of South Africa and make sure that the South African consumers can catch up with the rest of the world," Chang added. The uptake of electric vehicles and investment in Africa is quite slow relative to emerging market peers due to limited charging infrastructure, unstable power supply and high import duties compared to fossil-fuelled cars. But BYD sees potential. "South Africa is actually one of the most important automotive markets in the Southern Hemisphere. It's probably the biggest market in all of Africa, so it's a market that we have to look at and see how we can develop the market," Chang said. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store