SA needs Israel to open the floodgates

South Africa’s worsening water crisis has drawn international attention, with Israeli water expert and researcher Professor Noam Weisbrod from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in the country to share his expertise.

Weisbrod’s visit coincides with persistent water outages in Johannesburg due to leaking infrastructure and a tightened water supply.

Weisbrod is professor at the BGU’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research. His diverse research interests include earth-atmosphere interactions, gas flux mechanisms in the subsurface, fracture flow, and rural water access challenges. He has addressed critical water resource management issues, including those that directly impact underserved communities.

In a series of discussions with local water practitioners and academics, Weisbrod made it clear that he believed South Africa had the potential to manage its water resources effectively. “What I have seen here are good universities, extremely smart people, and excellent engineering companies doing remarkable work in their fields,” he said, acknowledging the country’s foundational strengths.

However, he suggested that collaboration with Israel could further enhance South Africa’s capabilities. “With the experiences accumulated in Israel over years of combatting droughts and optimising water supply, treatment systems, and reclamation, there’s significant potential for a partnership that benefits both countries. I hope the political conditions will allow such collaboration to create a win-win scenario.”

Weisbrod detailed how Israel had achieved water security and sufficiency through intensive efforts initiated by its founding prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. “Ben-Gurion recognised that water was central to the country’s stability and future,” said Weisbrod, referencing key projects such as the National Water Carrier, which transports water from the Sea of Galilee to the Negev Desert. This infrastructure has been critical in ensuring that water reaches every corner of the country, even arid regions.

Education and research have also played pivotal roles in solving Israel’s water scarcity issues. “Several Israeli professors are conducting advanced research in desalination, focusing on reducing its environmental impact and enhancing technology and innovation,” Weisbrod said. This state-of-the-art research encompasses areas like desalination processes, water reuse, and the development of smart water management systems.

Water has even become a strategic element in Israel’s diplomatic relations, he said, highlighting its role in peace agreements, particularly with Jordan. “Water is a major aspect of the peace agreement between Jordan and Israel. We provide water to Jordan through the Sea of Galilee,” he said.

Despite hostility in the region, Israel has found opportunities to collaborate with neighbours over shared concerns like water scarcity. “The Middle East is sensitive to climate conditions and has limited water resources. These challenges drive our joint projects with the Palestinian Authority and other regional players,” Weisbrod said.

However, he admitted that more could be done to strengthen partnerships in water research and innovation, saying, “Water and food security are interconnected issues that affect us all. Enhanced collaboration could yield significant benefits.”

The dynamic political and security landscape in the Middle East remains a significant factor in regional co-operation. Recent developments, such as the 7 October attack by Hamas that killed more than 1 200 Israelis and resulted in the abduction of more than 250 people, have altered the region’s security outlook. These events are expected to have long-term implications for political and diplomatic relations.

Despite such challenges, Israel continues to build on its groundbreaking technological advances. For example, the country pioneered drip irrigation in 1966, a climate-smart technology that delivers water and nutrients efficiently to crops. These innovations have transformed Israel into a global water superpower, enabling it to supply water not only to its population but also to Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

Weisbrod’s insights and his country’s experience no doubt could offer valuable lessons on how education, research, innovation, and regional co-operation can transform water management. Though political challenges may complicate collaboration, the opportunities for shared solutions to water scarcity are immense. As South Africa seeks to secure its water future, partnerships like the one envisioned by Weisbrod could prove transformative.

• Kenneth Mokgatlhe wa Kgwadi is a writer, researcher, and political analyst. He is pursuing his Master of Arts in African Studies (African Sustainable Communities) with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.