S. Africa, U.S. to Team Up on Water Resources Research

South Africa and the United States have agreed to collaborate on geological and water resources research. Jendayi Frazer, a US ambassador, and Rivka Kfir, a South African Water Research Commission CEO, signed a memorandum of understanding on the first day of the three-day Biennial Groundwater Conference in Pretoria today.

Frazer says the initial focus of scientific collaboration with the Water Research Commission is water resource research. The collaboration, she says, will facilitate a direct contact between government departments, universities, research centers, private sector companies and other entities of the two countries.

Buyelwa Sonjica, the water affairs and forestry minister, who opened the conference and witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding, said the research collaboration will afford the South African scientists and support staff to tap the American talent and knowledge.

Sonjica says the large number of local government representatives and their inputs at the conference will enable government to manage and protect groundwater resources.