The MOU, signed in 2022, includes collaboration on skills and capacity-building initiatives related to water quality monitoring projects at WSU.

WSU Director of the Risk & Vulnerability Science Center (RVSC), Dr. Motabeng Nakin, emphasized the importance of equipping researchers who are students and staff in the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, with necessary basic water skills.

He added that these skills that include swimming, obtaining a skipper's license, and an introduction to diving, would enhance their academics and careers.

"Since the researchers were students and staff in the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences and working with water related matters, it was imperative to equip them with necessary basic water skills," Dr. Nakin said.

"We are trying to tap into opportunities within the coastal areas to enhance students' prospects and stand a better chance of getting jobs in the industry," he said.

Because researchers sometimes need to enter the water to collect samples, the training provides them with essential skills on how to navigate underwater as a safety measure.

The group underwent two weeks of training in East London under the supervision of Southern Cross Cruises.

Pumeza Mangqawa from the National Pollution Laboratory (NPL) department expressed that the WSU community felt very privileged to have been given the opportunity by SAIMI.

"WSU has been known for being a disadvantaged university, and the marine-related skills would allow the WSU community to strengthen their skills, confidence, and effectiveness to build the capacity of WSU researchers," Mangqawa said.

She highlighted that most of the training participants were young black women.

"This would help us to occupy more spaces in the marine world,” she added.

Echoing her sentiments, Lonwabo Nettie, from the NPL said the training was necessary as they work around water every time, they leave the lab.

“These skills will assist us in working effectively as more than one person can skipper a boat. It also provides us with peace of mind as if someone were to fall in the water, that person could at least remain afloat long enough to get assisted,” he said.

He added that the team was grateful to SAIMI for the funding and the exposure to scuba diving.

Given that water skills are vital for MSc research students to become well-rounded professionals, addressing global water challenges and contributing to sustainable development, the initiative is highly significant.

Grateful for the opportunity, WSU Marine Biology PhD student Zizipho Ncokola-Mateyisi shared her excitement, saying it was her first time in the water and she was thrilled to have overcome her fear.

"I am proud of myself, and the training was relevant to my studies because now we will be able to dive into the water and get the samples ourselves and be able to protect ourselves through the skills we obtained," she said.

Coming from a rural background where swimming was prohibited due to superstitious beliefs about creatures underwater.

Ncokola-Mateyisi emphasized that the training provided lifetime skills that would also enable her to assist others in the same course.

Sharing similar sentiments, WSU MSc Zoology student and part-time lab technician Noluyolo Vundisa highlighted the importance of water skills in aquaculture.

"In aquaculture, it is imperative to have water skills and be able to navigate the ocean," Vundisa said.

Echoing Vundisa's thoughts, Lihle Majiyezi described the training as a valuable learning experience that would open doors to greater employment opportunities.

Also sharing their views, project coordinator from SAIMI Nondumiso Mfenyana said SAIMI and WSU have established a formal relationship and promote collaboration on various initiatives of interest between the parties.

“These include among others, skills development and capacity building initiatives relating to water quality monitoring project under the National Pollution Lab,’ she said.

This collaboration between WSU and SAIMI marks a significant step forward in building capacity and enhancing the skill sets of WSU researchers, ultimately contributing to the broader field of marine and environmental sciences.

By Yolanda Palezweni