The City of Tshwane recently hosted representatives from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Danish Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) to discuss critical water-related challenges and explore potential solutions.
Building upon a successful partnership established in 2018, these engagements held on 3 and 4 February 2025 aimed to strengthen collaboration between the City of Tshwane and Danish institutions. The City presented its comprehensive water and sanitation turnaround strategy, highlighting the challenges faced and the interventions being implemented to improve service delivery.
The Danish MFA is currently developing a new water and climate change grant programme and sought the City’s valuable insights to inform its design and implementation. Discussions with the IFU focused on potential funding opportunities for crucial infrastructure projects, including the following:
• Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works: Upgrades to this vital facility are essential for environmental protection and public health.
• Non-revenue water reduction: Minimising water losses through leak detection and repairs is crucial for improving water efficiency and sustainability.
• Hydro-conduit power: Exploring the feasibility of generating electricity from water flowing through existing infrastructure offers a promising avenue for renewable energy generation.
These meetings were highly productive, with both the MFA and IFU expressing strong interest in supporting the City’s water security initiatives. Notably, a consensus was reached on the importance of conducting a feasibility study for hydro-conduit power generation.
“These engagements demonstrate the growing international recognition of our commitment to water security,” stated the City Manager, Johann Mettler. “This strategic alliance with the Danish highlights how collaborative efforts can pave the way towards more resilient urban futures. We are confident that these partnerships will yield tangible results for our residents.”