Young and experienced water professionals came together in Cape Town for an intergenerational cocktail and networking event held during the WISA 2026 Conference under the name: Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili: Rethinking Amanzi Across Generations and Borders. Wetskills Foundation, WISA Young Water Professionals South Africa (WISA YWP-ZA), and the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa convened the event.
The gathering brought together about 100 water professionals from Southern Africa and the Netherlands to exchange experiences, perspectives and ideas about building meaningful careers in the water sector. Speakers included the Water Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Meike van Ginneken; Ambassador Joanne Doornewaard; Nthabiseng Fundakubi, Deputy Director-General representing the South African Department of Water and Sanitation; and Wetskills, represented by Craig Tanyanyiwa and Johan Oost. WISA YWP-ZA was represented by Lindiwe Nkabane (National Chair), Aluvuyo Bixa (Coordination Lead), Craig Tanyanyiwa and Boitumelo Matshediso (Financial Lead), most Wetskills Alumni.
Intergenerational dialogues
While the organisational representatives’ talks were informative, the highlight of the evening was an intergenerational group exercise. Participants were divided by birth month, encouraging them to interact with people outside their usual professional and social circles.
Experienced professionals were asked to reflect on the experiences that had shaped their careers and to share one lesson they wished they had learned earlier. Younger professionals then considered what they had heard and identified one thing they needed to change, or continue doing, to build a fruitful journey in the water sector.
The exercise created space for honest reflection and practical knowledge-sharing. Emerging professionals learned from the successes and challenges of those who had travelled the road before them, while experienced professionals gained insight into the ambitions and concerns of a younger generation.
Outcomes
The evening was filled with lively conversation, networking and relationship-building, with lessons shared and new opportunities created. More importantly, it demonstrated that strong intergenerational cooperation begins with creating spaces where people can listen to one another, exchange experiences and build connections beyond familiar professional circles.
The event showed that the future of the water sector will not be shaped by one generation alone. It will be strengthened when experience, new perspectives, and a shared commitment to water come together.
