It's only been one week since I left home but it feels like a lifetime. We made it to Tshwane which is surprisingly very hilly (over 4000 feet elevation) and quite beautiful. Mr. Lefadi Makibinyane, Tshwane's Strategic Executive Director in charge of Infrastructure Services greeted us as soon as we hit Tshwane soil (which was especially kind since it was on a Sunday!). He gave us a brief overview of the city before we went to see the Union Building which houses the Administrative capitol of South Africa.
The week started out with a warm welcome from the Honorable Mayor of Tshwane, Mr. Kgosientso Ramokgopa and the City Manager, Mr. Jason Ngoben. Both are dynamic leaders who shared with us their goals for the metro which has a slogan of 'Igniting Excellence'. The intent is to drive the region to become a Smarter City and provide a sustainable living for all residents including proper housing, education, water, sanitation and energy. They especially stressed the importance of water and the work we are doing.
We discussed an example of a major water leak which no one reported for years. It was ultimately identified and repaired during a regional survey. We were all astonished that people would walk by a visible leak and not report it, but then I wondered, would I report a leak if I saw it back home? Would I feel a sense of responsibility and accountability? Would you?
#ibmcsc
The week started out with a warm welcome from the Honorable Mayor of Tshwane, Mr. Kgosientso Ramokgopa and the City Manager, Mr. Jason Ngoben. Both are dynamic leaders who shared with us their goals for the metro which has a slogan of 'Igniting Excellence'. The intent is to drive the region to become a Smarter City and provide a sustainable living for all residents including proper housing, education, water, sanitation and energy. They especially stressed the importance of water and the work we are doing.
We discussed an example of a major water leak which no one reported for years. It was ultimately identified and repaired during a regional survey. We were all astonished that people would walk by a visible leak and not report it, but then I wondered, would I report a leak if I saw it back home? Would I feel a sense of responsibility and accountability? Would you?
#ibmcsc
Would I? Honestly? No! But I will try to now. Water is something we all take for granted in the "first world". You're working on a great cause. Awareness is half the battle. I look forward to your updates.
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