Women in Provincial Government Rewarded for Water Conservation

Four (4) women of the Department of Local Government's Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) were awarded a fifty thousand rand (R50 000) prize at the recent annual Women in Water Awards, hosted by the Department of Water Affairs on the Durban South Coast. The Centre was nominated for coordinating the drought disaster in the Southern Cape. The Centre will give the money to community projects in the Eden area.

Dr. Hildegarde Fast (HOD for Local Government), Jacqueline Pandaram (Director: Disaster Operations), Marlene Barnes and Ronelle Pieters from the PDMC, received the award for water conservation. The awards are presented annually to women who have broken new ground with innovations in areas such as water conservation, community development and education and awareness.

Minister Anton Bredell congratulated the women on their achievement. "It is crucial in times of drought that we are innovative in finding solutions to shortages. These women have proven that they are forward-thinking when it comes to this kind of disaster," Bredell said.

The Women in Water awards were introduced to recognise the role played by women in the water sector and also to appreciate the good work women are doing.