Seditor’s noteServing
Seditor’s noteServing growth and developmentT“The growth and development of people is the highest calling ofleadership,” said founder of Firestone Tire, Harvey S Firestone.For the first time in history, the G20 is being hosted in Africafollowing the admission of the AU as a G20 member. This is amoment of great significance for South Africa, the Africancontinent and the world.“As we confront the challenges of the 21st century – fromclimate change to artificial intelligence – we are again calledupon to harness that most powerful, and that most enduring,of human attributes: mutually beneficial cooperation andcollaboration,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his addressat the World Economic Forum on South Africa’s G20 Priorities.“One of the greatest impediments to growth, development andstability is the persistence of inequality within and betweencountries.”It is in the interests of all countries to act with greater urgencyto reduce global emissions – and for industrialised countries tosupport the climate actions that poorer countries must take. Oneof South Africa’s priorities for its G20 presidency is to mobilisefinance for a just energy transition (page 10).Temperatures in South Africa are rising faster than theglobal average and finding ways to adapt to climate change andits challenges is urgent. These challenges are compounded bythe disruptions of an energy transition. Our country has highlevels of inequality and unemployment. On page 18, Serviceinvestigates how South Africa should balance the need to cutcarbon emissions while protecting an already vulnerable workingpopulation during the just energy transition.In his SONA 2025 address, the president noted that technologycould transform the way that government works and committedto investing in digital public infrastructure to give South Africansaccess to government services. “To support growth in digitalservices and business process outsourcing, we are investing inskills development for the industries of the future,” he said.Technology thought leader, Dr Sylvia Sathekge, says thatthe focus on digital skills development and the creation of atransformation fund to empower innovation must be coupledwith robust digital skills development programmes to empowercitizens to participate in the digital economy. The lack ofprogress in broadening the take-up of STEM subjects at schoolsand beyond means that we are stifling our capacity (page 32).The country is facing an ever-widening digital skills gap, achallenged education system and youth unemployment rates thatthreaten to destabilise our future. It’s time to start driving real,meaningful change. The call to action is clear: the private sectormust step up further and invest more in South Africa’s skillsfuture (page 34).The time to act is now. On page 30, Minister of Basic Education,Siviwe Gwarube, called on the business sector to partner withgovernment to ensure a brighter future for the entire country.“The impact of Early Childhood Development on a country’sGDP, and on further education and skills development, inparticular STEM skills, is unquestionable.”As American political activist, Ralph Nader, attested, “Thefunction of leadership is to produce more leaders, not morefollowers.”Yours in service!Alexis KnipeEditorService magazine is published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd | Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07Editor: Alexis Knipe | Publishing director: Chris Whales | Managing director: Clive During | Online editor: Christoff Scholtz | Design: Elmethra de BruynProduction: Ashley van Schalkwyk | Account Managers: Venesia Fowler, Tennyson Naidoo, Graeme February, Tahlia Wyngaard, Sam Oliver andVanessa WallaceAdministration & accounts: Charlene Steynberg, Kathy Wootton, Sharon Angus-Leppan | Distribution & circulation manager: Edward MacDonald |Printing: FA PrintDirectors: Clive During, Chris Whales | Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700Postal: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701 | Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.zaNo portion of this book may be reproduced without written consent of the copyright owner. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Servicemagazine, nor the publisher, none of whom accept liability of any nature arising out of, or in connection with, the contents of this book. The publisherswould like to express thanks to those who Support this publication by their submission of articles and with their advertising. All rights reserved.Member of the Audit Bureauof Circulations2 | Service magazine
contentsSIN THIS ISSUE | SERVICE 89 | MAR/APR/MAY 202510 24181 PERFECTING THE ART OF WATER DELIVERYRand Water’s strategic vision focused on growthand sustainability2 AN ETHOS OF COLLABORATION AND UNITYTshebedisano Burial Society offers a range of services6 SERVE AND DELIVERNews and updates10 SA’S G20 PRIORITIESSpecial Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa13 SA’S COLLECTIVE APPROACH TOTHE G20 PRESIDENCYA united effort to tackle the global challenges thatimpact mankind14 WHO IN AFRICA: TRUMP’S DECISION TO PULL OUTProfound implications for Africa16 SA WELCOMES COP29 OUTCOMESThe outcomes are a significant step in the right direction18 SA’S BOLD NEW CLIMATEA hot and troubled world of work20 SA’S SCARCE WATER NEEDS CAREFUL MANAGEMENTSmaller, local systems offer benefits22 WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ANDEQUIPMENT MAINTENANCEA strategic necessity23 SECURING SA’S WATER FUTUREWhy skills matter more than ever, by EWSETA24 THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY’S PROMISE TOREDUCE LANDFILLSConsumer demand demands circular economy systems26 NAVIGATING SUSTAINABLE RECYCLING GROWTHPolyco’s comprehensive investment strategy30 THE TIME TO ACT IS NOWMinister calls on private sector to help earlychildhood education32 BRIDGING THE GREAT DIVIDEDigital skills development focus36 GOOD NEWSBuilding a brighter future32Service magazine | 3
