Professor and incumbent of the Rand Water and Sedibeng Water Research Chairs in Water Utilisation Engineering, Prof Evans Chirwa, from Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT), University of Pretoria has been elected by the board as a Senior Fellow of the Water Institute of South Africa (SFWISA). This honour is for the dedication and support that Prof Chirwa has shown the Water Institute of South Africa (WISA), and the Water Sector throughout his career. Through this award Prof Chirwa joins the ranks of highly respected South African academics and professionals in the Water sector, including Prof George Ekama (UCT), Prof Eugene Cloete (SU), Prof Bhekie Mamba (UNISA), Prof Alvin Lagardien (CPUT) and Prof Faizal Bux (DUT).

Prof Chirwa’s contribution to the department and the water industry is highly recognised in numerous awards he has received over the years. Through his research into various pertinent issues related to water quality and the concomitant impact on the environment Prof Chirwa has made significant contributions to the Water landscape both nationally and internationally. This impact was recognised by the NRF National Equipment Plan funding instrument in 2019 through the acquisition of a first-on-the-continent hyphenated Ion Chromatograph-Quadrupole/Time of Flight analytical system.

In his letter to Prof Chirwa, Mr Dan Naidoo, WISA Board Chair said “This exceptional honour is not bestowed lightly and takes into consideration the consistency of support that Prof Chirwa have shown WISA over a large number of years. It is however not restricted to support for WISA, but also takes note of the contributions he had made to the enhancement of the Water Sector overall, and the esteem that his actions have brought to the stature of the South African water industry.”

The department proudly congratulates Prof Chirwa for his achievements and this extra-ordinary honour. In his congratulatory message, Prof Michael Daramola, the Head of the Department expanded by expressing that “This is an extra-ordinary award bestowed on an individual who has made immense contributions to the field of water and sanitation engineering.”

Congratulations ndiposo tawomba m'manja