Durban University of Technology (DUT) proudly celebrates Enock Golangei, a Master of Engineering Chemical Engineering student under the supervision of Dr Innocentia Mkhize, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He was part of a winning team at the prestigious Wetskills South Africa (Gauteng) 2025 Challenge, hosted during the inaugural AWSISA Africa and Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue, recently held at the Emperors Palace, Johannesburg.
The Wetskills Challenge is an international water innovation programme that brings together young water professionals and students from diverse disciplines to co-create sustainable solutions for pressing water challenges. This year’s event, themed “Water and Sanitation for the Global South,” showcased exceptional creativity, collaboration, and commitment to addressing critical water and sanitation issues across Africa.
Enock and his multidisciplinary team worked on a case presented by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) titled “SMART WATER, SMART FINANCE: Introducing the Droplet Market for Unlocking Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction Interventions.” Their project proposed an innovative technological and financial model to address non-revenue water challenges in municipal water systems. The “Droplet Market” concept integrates digital tools, smart metering, and performance-based financing to promote efficient water management, accountability, and sustainability across all sector of economies.
During the final pitching session, held on the main stage at the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) Dialogue, Enock and his team delivered a compelling presentation to a panel of industry experts, policymakers, and international delegates. Their pitch was praised for its clarity, creativity, and effective integration of engineering, finance, and governance principles. The judges commended the team for presenting a forward-thinking solution that aligns with South Africa’s water security goals.
Reflecting on his experience, Golangei shared: “Participating in Wetskills South Africa (Gauteng) 2025 was an incredible and eye-opening journey that broadened my perspective on water management and innovation. The experience highlighted the power of collaboration in driving change and the role that young professionals can play in shaping the future of water management. Working alongside teammates from different countries, academic backgrounds, and professional disciplines challenged me to think beyond the boundaries of engineering and embrace truly collaborative innovation. Each member brought unique insights from policy and finance to environmental management, and together, we transformed a complex water challenge into a creative and implementable solution.”
He added that the Wetskills Challenge was more than a competition, it was a platform for learning, networking, and inspiration. “It underscored the importance of creativity, adaptability, and perseverance in addressing global water challenges. The process taught me the value of design thinking, teamwork under pressure, and the art of pitching complex ideas in simple, impactful ways. Presenting our innovation to global experts was both humbling and empowering. The connections made and lessons learned will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on my approach to problem solving and professional development in the water sector. I am deeply grateful to my teammates for their dedication and creativity, to Wetskills for providing this inspiring platform, and to DUT and my supervisor, Dr Innocentia Mkhize, Prof Rutto (Wits), and Dr Benton Otieno (UKZN), for continuously supporting and exposing me to opportunities that enhance my growth as an engineer and innovator,” he highlighted.
Supervisor Dr Mkhize expressed pride in his success: “I was proud to witness Golangei and his team’s outstanding presentation during the pitching session. Their professionalism, creativity, and confidence reflected the innovative spirit and excellence we strive to cultivate at DUT. This achievement demonstrates how our postgraduate students are contributing meaningfully to national and global water sustainability dialogues.”
This recognition at the inaugural AWSISA Dialogue, added Dr Mkhize, reinforces DUT’s growing footprint in advancing research, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving in the water sector. She indicated that it also highlights the Department of Chemical Engineering’s commitment to equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to address complex environmental challenges through sustainable engineering solutions. “Congratulations once again to Golangei and his team for this outstanding achievement. Your success continues to inspire excellence and innovation within the DUT community,” she said jubilantly.
Pictured: Enock Golangei and his team celebrating their win at the Wetskills South Africa (Gauteng) 2025 Challenge during the inaugural AWSISA Africa and Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue, held at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg.
Story: Supplied
