Final Day of the PoVE Water South African Mission
Today was the 5th and final day of the PoVE Water South African Mission, and I’ve decided to share another personal reflection.
It’s always fascinating to see how people, initially shy and reserved, can come together and build strong connections when solving a common problem— one way is through a Hackathon (you can find my post about it, on my profile), another way is in events management. Today I want to focus on my team—the internal staff at SUWI—who supported me when the pressure was at its highest. I also have a few honourable mentions for individuals who played integral roles in making the conference a success.
While many enjoy attending professional and social events, it’s easy to overlook the work that happens behind the scenes. Invitations, seating, programmes, goodie bags, security, catering, transportation—none of these appear by magic. They are the result of countless hours of coordination and hard work.
I deeply value constructive feedback because it helps me identify areas for growth. I always strive to do my best, but the pressure can be overwhelming at times, with fires to put out everywhere. That’s why I’d like to express my gratitude to my colleagues:
Chwaita Jaay Mpeqeka and Kholosa Zintle Nakani for carrying the “buckets of water” when fires popped up (metaphorically).
Renoir Hindley for reminding me about the little details that can significantly impact the overall experience.
Michele Carstens for her sense of urgency in handling crucial matters.
Erna van der Werff for her excellent communication with the EU delegates before their arrival, ensuring everything was aligned and prepared.
A special thank you to Manuel Nicholas Jackson for connecting people from around the world to foster a better future for water sector excellence in South Africa. Delegates from the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Belgium, Czech Republic, and Malta joined forces with South African participants from Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Western Cape. These collaborations are vital for creating greater efficiency and sustainability in the water sector.
Honourable mentions also go to:
Yorrick van Bree, who played a critical role in designing and running the Hackathon programme and Boudewijn Grievink who also assisted. Thank you aslo to Alno Carstens, who ensured the Hackathon was well-coordinated on Stellenbosch University main campus.
Martin Hamann, who provided invaluable support and delivered an engaging presentation on Day Zero.
There were many ups and downs, moments of laughter, and even a few migraines, but I am immensely grateful for this experience. Oh, and thank you to CIV Water for the wonderful gift—it’s a kind gesture that I deeply appreciate!
#PoVE #WaterExcellence #Collaboration #EventsManagement #SustainableDevelopment
