Water Wheel Jan/Feb 2023: Capacity Building

Abstract

Water the ultimate winner in inaugural awards The water community was shocked and saddened to learn in July 2021 that COVID-related complications had claimed the lives of Rowena Hay and her husband, Dr Chris Hartnady. As founder and MD of the earth science and groundwater consultancy Umvoto Africa, Rowena led a number of research projects funded by the Water Research Commission (WRC), and was a past member of the WRC Board. Among her many accolades was the WRC Knowledge Tree Award in the category ‘Empowerment of Communities’ in 2015. Since then, Rowena had taken her altruistic endeavours a step further by establishing a non-profit company, The Umvoto Foundation. More commonly referred to as TUF, its aim is to support the development of community capacity in achieving clean and healthy ecosystems through advocacy and outreach work, and by fostering an understanding of social responsibility. In fact, TUF’s vision says it well: “A clean and healthy water system supports vibrant, safe and resilient communities.

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