Sol Plaatje University (SPU), in collaboration with the Water Research Commission (WRC), officially launched the Arid Region Water Research Centre (ARWRC) on Monday, 14 April 2025. The event marked a significant milestone in addressing critical water security issues affecting the Northern Cape and in other regional and global arid regions.
The launch brought together key stakeholders from the water, research, academic and policy sectors to celebrate a bold new chapter in interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific innovation. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Prof Debra Meyer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at SPU; Dr Jennifer Molwantwa, CEO of the WRC; and Prof Martin Ntwaeaborwa, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences at SPU.
Prof Meyer described the Centre as “a partnership of high hopes”, expressing confidence that the ARWRC will contribute to reshaping water security in the Northern Cape and similar regions globally. She affirmed SPU’s commitment to enabling research that delivers long-term societal impact, particularly in the face of climate and infrastructure challenges.
Dr Molwantwa highlighted the Centre’s pivotal role in addressing water challenges through the integration of indigenous knowledge systems, active citizen participation and a strong focus on groundwater resilience. She also praised Sol Plaatje University’s dedication to training future researchers and supporting the Centre’s mission to develop locally grounded, globally relevant expertise.
The ARWRC will serve as a national hub for interdisciplinary research, policy development, and capacity building. It will focus on water quality, sanitation, alternative water sources, the water-energy-food nexus and long-term climate adaptation strategies for arid environments.
This partnership embodies a shared vision for research-driven, community-responsive solutions that secure the future of water in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. It stands as a testament to the power of meaningful collaboration – showing that partnerships can strive for real lasting impact.
