The initiative is managed by a water technology enterprise that provides 22 million L of clean water monthly to 96 communities. It also targets training and capitalisation of people to manage water projects and generate income. 

Each year, the organisation selects between 20 and 40 participants to launch water kiosks within their respective communities. They undergo rigorous training that meets NQF level standards, providing an introduction to water, sanitation, and hygiene practices and essential water quality monitoring, while also equipping participants with technical knowledge regarding water treatment systems.

The curriculum extends beyond technical skills to include marketing and community adaptation strategies, to ensure that participants can communicate effectively with their neighbours and manage the social dynamics of local resource management.

“Our mission is safe water for every community … projects fail a lot, mostly because they do not have a huge local ownership component,” said Kusini Water CEO and founder Murendeni Mafumo.

Inclusive recruitment and training

The recruitment strategy specifically prioritises unemployed people, women, and people living with disabilities, as the organisation designs its kiosks and technical systems with empathy to ensure that anyone, including those with vision impairment or physical disabilities, can operate the machinery with ease.

To further dismantle barriers to entry, the training is being transitioned into 11 official languages.

The application deadline is on Sunday (15/2), the guideline age is 18 to 35, but the programme accepts applicants over 35. The primary requirement is the ability to communicate effectively and the motivation to turn the water project into a sustainable small business.

This initiative is managed by a water technologyenterprise that provides 22 million litres of clean water monthly to 96 communities. Photo supplied

“The programme primarily has a huge bias towards unemployed people and not necessarily just youth, but we’re opening it up to everyone,” said Mafumo.

Kusini Water has trained more than 400 people and opened 80 water kiosks, creating 324 jobs.

People interested in participating can apply by visiting the official website of Kusini Water, where they can find the water champions section under the menu to complete the application form, ensuring they provide detailed information about their community involvement and their motivation to run a local water project before the deadline.

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OFM News/Refilwe Bekane mvh