Catherine Tlotlo Kerapetse

SGSP CANDIDATES PROFILING Q&A

17. You were chosen as a beneficiary of this scholarship, out of several applicants across the SADC region. How does this make you feel?

1. The SGSP-IWRM scholarship offers an extraordinary opportunity for IWRM enthusiasts. To this note, I feel honored -super exited and blessed at the same time. The SADC region is full of many capable individuals who when given the same opportunity would have been equally grateful, for me to reign alongside the chosen few is awesome! Thank you SASSCAL-(SGSP-IWRM) in collaboration with the international Centre for Water Resources and Global Change (ICWRGC), The Federal Ministry of Education and Research for sponsoring and the Namibia University of Science and Technology for a warm welcome!

17. What motivated you to take up studies in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)?

1. My eagerness to positively contribute to better shaping sustainable livelihoods by taking part in designing interventions for existing and future water challenges pushed me to further my IWRM studies. IWRM offers an opportunity to strike a balance between hard sciences and social sciences as such this is ideal for understanding water issues and associated community needs. I look forward to an impactful research through some sustainable human-ecological systems using adaptive hydrological measures. I believe it is necessary to address water security challenges and even better develop transferable methods to other regions with similar challenges.

17. Tell us about your specific research area/interests.

1. My research aims to understand surface water –groundwater interactions for sustainable water availability under the uncertainties of climate change. The focus is more inclined towards the groundwater resources as a viable sustainable storage for high evaporative semi-arid conditions. The research looks into ways to minimize water losses and maximize recharge and storage in a changing climate.

17. What do you see as some of the greatest challenges being experienced in the IWRM sector, particularly in your home country?

1. Several; First, there is a notable lack of integration and interdisciplinary in the water sector although it is a key component in solving community issues through science. Secondly, there is an issue of individualism in dealing with water issues but most of water issues require some collaboration in the sense that water does not respect political boundaries. Thirdly, there is a specific need of data in the sector to advance science through research and avail information to society. Lastly, there is still some substantial need in capacity development in the water sector of which, I must applaud SASSCAL-Graduate Studies Programme-Integrated Water Resources Management for such a remarkable and bold decision to answer this call not only for Botswana but regionally.

17. When it is all done and dusted, what would you like the impact of your research project to be?

1. I aim to contribute meaningfully to knowledge and science. The research should provide some scientific evidence ready to inform policies that support and ensures continuity and sustainability of life in a changing climate.  There should be some sustenance of limited and scarce resource to support livelihoods amid climate change challenges.