The Water Network - a collaboration between WISA and the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) - aims to strengthen the collaboration between Dutch and South African water stakeholders.
One of the first activities of the portal is a competition called Moola for Amanzi which looks for new, innovative solutions for South Africa's water and sanitation problems. Moola for Amanzi will link Dutch professionals with South African students or SMEs and the winners will have the opportunity to implement their concept for which they will receive a budget of up to €15.000, sponsored by the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria. The winner will be announced during the World Water Week in March 2011.
The Water Week is also the start of the South Africa - Netherlands Water Tour, which will comprise different activities at local, regional and national level in South Africa to raise awareness about the country's water challenges; to promote the Dutch water sector and to see how Dutch knowledge can be used to support the South African municipalities and organisations.
Moola for Amanzi, launched in November 2010, is aimed at generating high quality investment proposals addressing water and sanitation issues, while building awareness in the public eye, the water sector and sectors outside conventional water-related industries that business and access to clean and affordable water can go hand in hand. The aim of this competition is also to build confidence and partnerships in young water entrepreneurs and get the industry to think a little differently, as well as be able to communicate their ideas in a way that makes sense to business. This is part of a bigger initiative - the Dutch-SA water partnership. Anyone is eligible to enter, and prizes up to Euro 15 000 as well as support to implement your idea is up for grabs. Please visit www.waternetwork.co.za for more information.
Moola in the news:- WaterNetwork launch
- Register here! Moola mainsite
- Moola in the Supernews Challenge
- the Water Network
From left to right: Bernelle Verster, Young Water Professionals; Kevin Pietersen, President of WISA; Pauline Woolthuis, Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria; Dana Grobler, Blue Science Consulting; David de Waal, The Netherlands Consul General.