September 2015 Issue 37 WASHen 2015 – “A noble initiative”

In this Issue:
September 2015
Issue 37
WASHen 2015 PARTNERS
Organised in conjunction
with

WASHen 2015 – “A noble initiative”
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Showcasing Best Practice
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In the Twittersphere
WASHen 2015 – “A noble initiative”
It is 7’oclock in the morning at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre. It looks like any other spring
Thursday morning – but wait a moment – this one is different. Hall 3, the venue, housing the WASHen 2015
Conference & Exhibition, has been painted blue.
Fast forward to 9am, the atmosphere has changed completely – delegates start trooping in, from all corners of the
country, representing different spheres of society, from grassroots to the highest government offices. 168
delegates are coming specifically for the conference; they are joined by over 30 exhibiting organisations and 450
visitors eager to sample the displayed products and services. All these groups are coming with one mission – to be
part of the WASHen 2015 success story!
With the support of
Ministry of Environment,
Water & Climate
Bulawayo City Council
This was the setting of this year’s water, sanitation, hygiene and energy conference and exhibition, WASHen. The
confex, characterised by multi-stakeholder engagement, provided a platform for industry professionals to come
together to share ideas, network and showcase the latest technologies in these sectors. One of the highlights of
the event was the Official Opening address by the Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Honourable
Emmerson D. Mnangagwa. In a speech read on his behalf, by his Minister of State Honourable Clifford Sibanda,
the VP indicated, that while significant strides have been made towards attaining water for all, government is
aware that we are not yet where we need to be. He called upon delegates to come up with time-framed,
actionable and results based resolutions that will help raise the quality of life of the Zimbabwean people.
The Minister of Environment, Water & Climate Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri echoed the VP’s sentiments
in her key note address where she applauded the “noble WASHen initiative.” She told the meeting that in order to
address the challenges facing the sector, her ministry had approved the National Water Policy which would guide
water resources management efforts, including WASH services development and provision. Emphasising the need
for all stakeholders to work together, she indicated that the policy was anchored on community participation and
ownership of WASH infrastructure, private-sector participation and an overarching WASH Regulatory Authority.
The 2015 conference saw speakers delivering stimulating presentations while delegates engaged in rousing
discussions and debate. Some of the popular topics under discussion were menstrual hygiene management, GIS as
an organisational imperative and service level benchmarking in local authorities among other interesting
discussions. Also popular with delegates were the visits to local facilities (SAST, BCC Call Centre and GIS
Mapping Office) where delegates had an opportunity to engage in knowledge sharing with the City of
Bulawayo, widely lauded as the country’s best managed urban local authority.
If you want to learn more about WASHen 2015,
click here to visit our website.
Delegates at the WASHen
Conference
Minister Sibanda reading official opening
remarks on behalf of the Vice President
Delegates registering for the WASHen
conference
Showcasing Best Practice in WASH and Energy
.
WASHen 2015 saw 31 organisations showcasing innovative ideas, products, services and
technologies in the water, sanitation and energy sectors, in line with the theme “Innovative
Solutions for Sustainable Development.” The exhibition provided industry suppliers, experts and
thought-leaders from the WASH and renewable energy supply chains with the opportunity to
connect with new customers, increase their sales opportunities and expand business networks in
this constantly developing sector.
On display were water treatment chemicals and materials, piping and sewage systems, design and
installation of electric and solar power systems, solar water heating, sand abstraction technology,
solid waste management, generators, borehole drilling, as well as rural and urban community
projects among other interesting exhibits.
WASHen 2015 IN PICTURES
The Minister of Environment,
Water & Climate, Hon O.
Muchinguri-Kashiri addresses
delegates
Over 600 business visitors were admitted into the exhibition centre over the 2-day exhibition
representing central and local government, civic society, private enterprises and the general public.
Feedback received from both exhibitors and business visitors was positive and the organisers were
credited with putting together a professionally-organised, highly-interactive show with quality
exhibits and attendees. Excerpts from the surveys conducted during the show indicate that:
 98% of exhibitors were happy with the organisation of WASHen 2015 and 76% were
certain that they would participate again next year
 97 % of visitors were satisfied with the show and 96% will recommend visiting the show to
their peers
Delegates follow proceedings at
the WASHen conference
Plans for WASHen 2016 are already underway. Contact us today to find out how you can
participate. Alternatively, sign up here to receive news and updates.
#WASHen2015 on the Twittersphere
Dabane Water Workshops scoops
first prize for Best Exhibit
Samukeliso Khumalo @SamukelisoK If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
#washen2015
Thando Nkomo @thandonk m GIS improves decision making processes #WASHen2015
@urbanwashzim
An exhibitor making a product
demonstration on their stand
Urban WASH Zimbabwe @urbanwashzim "Data, systems & people make up an effective
ICT4Dvpt response" @SNVZimbabwe @ZITF1 @siege585 @SNV_WASH #WASHen2015
WILD @wildtrustzim We talked about the scourge of HIV/AIDS and the results are there and
solutions were made yet we fear talking about menstruation #WASHen2015
Delegates tour the Southern Area
Sewage Treatment Works
CityofBulawayo @CityofBulawayo Bulawayo is the only city where people get H2O everyday
as long as it's available in the dams #Servicelevelbenchmarking #WASHen2015
Samukeliso Khumalo @SamukelisoK 31% of Zimbabwe’s population now uses open
defecation as sanitation system in the country collapses.#Washen #zitf #localgovernance
WILD @wildtrustzim Traditionally it has been taboo for people to talk about menstruation
yet it is such a critical subject #WASHen2015
Bulawayo City Council officials
show delegates the City’s stateof-the-art Call Centre