A 13-member delegation from the City of Tshwane, accompanied by a representative from Rand Water, is in Denmark for a week-long mission that will shape the final phase of the Tshwane-Aarhus Strategic Sector Collaboration (SSC). The team, comprising officials from the Water and Sanitation Business Unit, the Environment and Agriculture Management Department, Group Human Capital Management, the Communication, Marketing and Events Department, the City Strategy and Organisational Performance Department and the Office of the Chief Operations Officer, is ready to embark on a transformative journey that will influence the future of water management in South Africa's capital city.
The mission comes at a critical juncture as the SSC approaches the end of its second phase. With the project steering committee having approved the scoping of a third and final phase in September 2025, the delegation's task is to develop a robust results framework, risk analysis and workplan that will support the Water and Sanitation Business Unit and secure funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the end of the year.
The programme will kick off on Monday, 10 August 2026, with a formal welcome at Aarhus City Hall, where the delegation will be received by their Danish counterparts from the City of Aarhus and Aarhus Water, alongside representatives from the Danish Embassy, including Sector Advisor, Gustav Zilstorff Brade, and Water Programme Officer, Akhona Xotyeni. The plenary session will feature roundtable introductions, a comprehensive orientation to the SSC, a debrief of Phase 2 achievements, a presentation on the partnership between the City of Tshwane and Rand Water, and an outline of the Water Security Vision. The afternoon will conclude with a guided city tour of the Aarhus historic centre and harbour front development.
On Tuesday, 11 August 2026, the delegation will split into two groups for site visits to some of Denmark's most innovative water technology companies. Group A will visit Grundfos, AVK and Kamstrup to explore advanced pumping solutions, valve manufacturing, smart metering and strategies for reducing non-revenue water. Group B will visit the Kredsløb showroom and the Aarhus Water Education Centre to learn about public engagement, environmental education and innovative approaches to communicating the value of water to communities.
The heart of the mission will unfold on 12 and 13 August 2026 with intensive track workshops focused on three thematic areas, namely waste water, drinking water and water vision implementation and outreach. Facilitated by the secretariat and Danish technical experts, these sessions will be dedicated to finalising the results framework, risk analysis and workplan. Discussions will tackle some of Tshwane's most pressing water challenges, including strategies to tackle non-revenue water, capacity-building and training programmes, and the drafting of a consumer behaviour strategy. Particular emphasis will be placed on pushing for a visible and robust water conservation and awareness campaign.
Friday, 14 August 2026, will mark the final day with a wrap-up session at the Aarhus Vand headquarters, where the team will confirm governance models, institutional arrangements and reporting protocols.