GroundTruth

31/08/2026

The countdown to is officially on, and the final conference programme is live!

If you are attending the South African Hydrological Society Conference in the Drakensberg next week, make sure to add these two interactive workshops to your schedule on Wednesday, 2 September and Thursday, 3 September:

WORKSHOP 3️⃣: Creating a Community of Practice for Improved Design Flood Estimation Through Stakeholder Engagement
🗓️ Wednesday, 2 September 2026 | ⏰ 14:00 – 15:30 | 🏢 Venue: Zunkels
GroundTruth's Dr Udhav Maharaj, PhD co-facilitating with Prof. Jeff Smithers (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and the South African National Flood Studies team.

We are bringing something extra special to this session! Alongside an overview of the National Flood Studies Programme (NFSP) and recent advancements in South African Design Flood Estimation models, we will be hosting the FIRST-EVER public demonstration of NaFSAT Version 1.0 before its official long-term release! Whether you are a practitioner or researcher looking to streamline spatial analysis and flood estimation workflows, this is your chance to get an exclusive first look at the tool in action.

WORKSHOP 4️⃣: Agenda Setting for Hydrological Extremes and Climate Resilience
🗓️ Thursday, 3 September 2026 | ⏰ 14:00 – 15:30 | 🏢 Venue: Monks Cowl
👥 Dr. Katelyn Johnson (Stellenbosch University) co-facilitating with Orin Zeke Booysen, Siyasanda Makhaye, Kobus du Plessis, Ione Loots, Jaco Gericke, Jaco Pietersen, Dr Udhav Maharaj, PhD, and the project team, supported by the WRC South Africa.

How does South Africa's extreme weather research compare globally? We will be revealing key findings from a comprehensive knowledge review on flood and drought research, highlighting where South Africa stands internationally. Most importantly, this will be a highly interactive stakeholder session where your input will directly shape the agenda for future research investments!

Which session are you most excited for?

We will see you at Zunkels and Monks Cowl next week!

26/08/2026

24/08/2026

What do you think of when you hear “Water for People and Progress”?

For us, it is a reminder that human wellbeing, healthy ecosystems, climate resilience, and sustainable development all rely on water security💧🍃

🧭 World Water Week 2026 begins today, offering an opportunity to reflect on our long history of working with water across Africa. For over 20 years, GroundTruth has driven solutions for effective water management. It is no simple task. Success depends on sound evidence, practical innovation, long-term monitoring, strong collaboration, and an integrated understanding of the connections between people, rivers, wetlands, and the wider environment.

🧩To get it right, you need to see the whole picture: From catchment monitoring, wetland assessment, and community engagement, through to hydrology, hydraulics, aquatic modelling, and the co-design of climate-smart systems.

You need to work with nature and people, not just for them.

By understanding water, and how it underpins everything else, we can ensure that our carefully engineered solutions support biodiversity, sustain communities, and shape resilient futures 🌱 That is why GroundTruth has built a team of diverse experts under one roof: To solve complex problems together, and develop solutions that will last for generations to come.

Because progress for water is progress for people, nature, and climate🌍

🤝 Get in touch, and let’s turn World Water Week into sustainable action for a water-secure world.

13/08/2026

We are very excited to be featured in this year’s Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) Youth Publication!🎉🌍💧

The RCEs on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Youth Publication is an annual case-study book showcasing inspiring youth-led projects and initiatives from across the Global RCE Network📖✨ GroundTruth, through our youth members of the RCE KwaZulu-Natal, contributed an article that highlights the range of work being done to create meaningful opportunities for youth participation, citizen science, digital learning, and environmental action.

In the article, you’ll get a glimpse into the collaborative and innovative work we have led and supported for the co-creation of online citizen science learning systems and tools🌱🔬💻 This includes the digital expansion and inclusivity of miniSASS (the mini Stream Assessment Scoring System), building mobile applications, embedding machine-learning, digital twinning, and other interactive online courses that enable youth and communities to engage in water quality monitoring and environmental education📲🧠🌊

Check it out!
From learning to action: Youth participation in water quality monitoring for water security

Of course great work is seldom done alone, and we have worked with amazing partners throughout, including The Environmental Learning Research Centre at Rhodes University, UNICEF Yoma *Youth Agency Marketplace Yoma World, CGIAR International Water Management Institute (IWMI), The Association for Water and Rural Development (AWARD), the WRC South Africa, and more!🤝 We are also incredibly grateful to the RCE Global Network and especially to the young people and communities who continue to make this work possible👏

Be sure to page through the full publication📗
Youth in Charge: RCE Leaders Shaping Sustainable Societies
🔗https://unu.edu/publication/youth-charge-rce-leaders-shaping-sustainable-societies

We are honoured to be part of this publication, a wonderful celebration and sharing of what we can learn from RCE counterparts around the world as we take part in growing a worldwide network of people striving for meaningful environmental change🌿

Give the publication a read and find yourself inspired by youth-led action around the world for a brighter and better future!

From local action to global learning💚

Zaniel April-Lushaba, Nkosingithandile Sithole

04/08/2026

🧭 GroundTruth will be at WaterNet 2026 in Arusha, Tanzania, in October and we are bringing five talks into one bigger conversation: How do we transform better water data into better water decisions?

This year’s 27th SADC_ WaterNet/WARFSA/Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Symposium (28th – 30th October 2026) focuses on harnessing AI and big data to enhance climate resilience in integrated water resources management across Eastern and Southern Africa: a theme resonates across the work that we will be presenting and co-presenting with our partners and collaborators.

Catch our talks at the Symposium, which will cover:

🧪 Wastewater management in South Africa, including Green Drop reporting, missing wastewater, reticulation failures, and critical data gaps.

🗺️ Transboundary Resource Quality Objectives (RQOs), using the Orange–Senqu River basin as a practical case study in moving from cooperative governance to measurable ecological management.

🪷 Constructed wetlands for industrial wastewater treatment, based on a commercial-scale sugar-production system in Tanzania.

🛰️ Citizen science and Digital Twin integration, drawing on a Limpopo River basin monitoring framework that links community-generated data to decision-support pathways.

🏞️ Landscape restoration and water security, through the Kilimanjaro Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (KERI) in the upper Pangani River basin.

Across these contributions, a common thread runs through the work: community, ecosystem, and climate resilience depend on trusted data, inclusive monitoring, practical governance, and solutions that work with people and biodiversity rather than just for them.

If you are attending WaterNet 2026, let's connect and progress the much needed conversations around AI-enabled water monitoring, Digital Twins, citizen science, wastewater, catchment restoration, transboundary governance, or nature-based solutions.

See you in Arusha! 👋

Mark Graham, Nicholas B. Pattinson, PhD, Sarah Scott

28/07/2026

Last week, we had the privilege of contributing to the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) Working Group 4 Greening Communities session as part of the United Nations University Global Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Network🌍 This was an opportunity to showcase how local action can drive sustainability, climate resilience, and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

📖 Building on our contribution to the RCE Global Case Study publication, "From Learning to Action: Youth Participation in Water Quality Monitoring for Water Security under SDG 6 and SDG 8 within the ESD 2030 Priority Action Areas", we shared experiences from RCE KwaZulu-Natal on how citizen science is helping to transform environmental education into meaningful action.

Our presentation highlighted how young people are being empowered to become active environmental stewards through participation in water quality monitoring initiatives. Through telling the story of three interconnected projects, we showed how youth are:

✅ Developing practical skills, leadership experience, and green career pathways through environmental monitoring and train-the-trainer programmes.

✅ Generating locally relevant water quality data that contributes to evidence-based decision-making and supports progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

✅ Strengthening regional cooperation through transboundary water monitoring initiatives across the Limpopo River basin, fostering collaborative approaches to water security challenges.

The discussions reinforced an important message: when young people are equipped with knowledge, practical skills, and opportunities to contribute, they become powerful agents of change within their communities🌱

As water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development continue to be pressing global priorities, citizen science offers a valuable pathway for bridging the gap between learning and action. The experiences shared during the session demonstrated how community-based monitoring programmes can simultaneously support environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods.

🙌 We are grateful to our partners whose collaboration makes this work possible:
• CGIAR International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
• UNICEF Yoma World
• UNESCO
• Greater uMngeni Catchment Biosphere
• Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM)

Thank you to the organisers, fellow presenters, and participants for the engaging discussions and valuable insights🤝 We look forward to continuing this work and strengthening partnerships that empower young people to contribute to resilient communities and sustainable water futures.

Zaniel April-Lushaba, Charlene Russell, Nkosingithandile Sithole

23/07/2026

GroundTruth will be at SAHS 2026!📣 As one of South Africa's leading forums for hydrological science and practice, the South African Hydrological Society (SAHS) 2026 Conference provides an important platform for advancing the tools, data, and approaches needed to address growing water-resource and climate-related challenges.

We are pleased to share that two abstracts by GroundTruth's Keanu Singh have been accepted for presentation:

🌍 Cloud Computing and Satellite-Derived Indices for Eco-Hydrological Catchment Monitoring: This research demonstrates how cloud computing and satellite-derived datasets can be used to move beyond reactive management by identifying degradation hotspots and prioritising restoration interventions that support long-term catchment resilience and water security.

🌊 Leveraging UAV-LiDAR Digital Terrain Models for 2D Hydraulic Modelling of Spring Systems: This work combines high-resolution UAV-LiDAR terrain data with HEC-RAS hydraulic modelling to evaluate flood risk around sensitive spring systems in Tanzania, enabling mitigation measures to be tested before detailed engineering design begins.

In addition, GroundTruth's Dr Udhav Maharaj, PhD will be facilitating two workshops:

🤝 Introduction to NaFSAT (National Flood Spatial Analysis Tool), co-presented with Prof. Jeff Smithers (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and the South African National Flood Studies team.

📚 Knowledge Review on Hydrological Extremes, co-presented with Dr Katelyn Johnson (Stellenbosch University) and supported by the WRC South Africa, focusing on research gaps and future priorities relating to floods and droughts in South Africa.

Together, these contributions highlight the growing role of geospatial technologies, earth observation, hydraulic modelling, and collaborative research in strengthening hydrological decision-making across the region.

Find us there and let's connect to shape more resilient water systems together👋🤝 See you at .

🔗 https://sahs.conference.org.za/
🔗 https://www.groundtruth.co.za/

21/07/2026

🌿Build your foundation in wetland science this November!🌿

Understanding wetlands is vitally important across environmental assessment, conservation planning, water resource management, and sustainable development. Demand is growing for sound ecological decision-making, so practitioners need the knowledge and practical skills to assess wetland systems with confidence and credibility💧🌱

GroundTruth's Introduction to Wetland Assessments Course will run from 10–12 November 2026, offering an excellent opportunity for aspiring wetland practitioners, young professionals, graduate ecologists, environmental scientists, and consultants to develop a practical understanding of wetland ecology and assessment methodologies.

Designed as an accessible entry point into the field, the course combines core theory with applied learning, helping participants bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice✨

Participants will gain exposure to key concepts including:
🟦 Wetland hydrology, geomorphology, water quality, and vegetation dynamics.
🟦 Wetland identification and classification.
🟦 Wetland ecosystem services and their role in environmental management.
🟦 Wetland integrity and ecological condition assessment principles.
🟦 Introductory GIS skills for wetland assessments using QGIS.

📚 The course includes online lectures, practical assignments, and opportunities to engage directly with experienced wetland specialists.

✏️ Attendance options
Option A: Virtual Attendance
📅 10–12 November 2026
💻 Attend remotely from anywhere with a reliable internet connection.
💰 R5,500 (incl. VAT)

Option B: In-Person Attendance
📍 GroundTruth Offices, Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal
📅 10–12 November 2026, including a dedicated field practical on 12 November.
💰 R5,900 (incl. VAT)

🎓 Participants who successfully complete the course will earn 2 SACNASP CPD points!

One of the highlights of the in-person option is the opportunity to participate in a guided field visit to a local wetland, allowing participants to connect classroom concepts with real-world observations and assessment techniques.

Whether you are beginning your career in wetland science or looking to strengthen your understanding of wetland assessment processes, this course provides a valuable platform for developing practical, industry-relevant skills. 🌱

📩 For registration details and further information, contact [email protected].
We look forward to welcoming you this November! 🤝

16/07/2026

❗Only one month left to register! 📝
Join us at our only SASS5 course in Gauteng for 2026. Don't miss it, registrations close on the 15th of August!

15/07/2026

GroundTruth will be at at UNESCO's Science for Island Futures Side Event!🌍🏝️
Charlene Russell will be representing GroundTruth at the upcoming "Science for Island Futures: Accelerating Resilience and Innovation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)" side event during the 2026 Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD).

🎙️ Charlene will be participating in Roundtable III: Data Platforms, Digital Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development, alongside Koen Verbist and Davor Orlic.

This promises to be a stimulating discussion on how science, data, and emerging technologies can help accelerate sustainable development across SIDS. Don't miss it!

📅 17 July 2026
🕙 10:55–12:10 (Paris Time)
📍 Room VI, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
💻 Hybrid event – online participation available via the QR code

Beyond the roundtable, we're also looking forward to discussions around UNESCO's IslandWatch initiative and the development of Centres of Excellence in Marine Sciences and Biodiversity, both of which highlight the importance of scientific capacity, community-led monitoring, innovation, and strong partnerships for resilient island futures.

💡Fittingly, today is World Youth Skills Day, which is a timely reminder that achieving sustainable and resilient futures will depend on how we can equip the next generation of scientists, innovators, and environmental leaders to turn data, science, and technology, into impact.

We are excited to bring our passion for capacity building to the discussions to see how these tools and technologies can be paired with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to empower the next generation. After all, sustainable development will depend on youth driving movement from information to action🌍📊🌱