When Ilca Nhandamo graduated with a Master’s degree in Engineering and Water Resources Management from Zambezi University in Mozambique, she emerged not only with advanced technical expertise, but with a regional voice and a growing leadership role in sustainable groundwater management.
As a longstanding bursary recipient and active participant in the SADC–GMI Young Professionals Programme, Ilca benefited from targeted financial and professional support that allowed her to focus fully on her studies and career development. That support opened doors she had never imagined—marking her first international travel experience, enabling her to present research to regional experts and peers, and culminating in her delivery of a keynote address at the 6th SADC Groundwater Conference in Maseru, Lesotho.
Attending the 6th SADC-GMI Conference was a transformative and game-changing experience. As a young professional, the invaluable opportunities to engage, share perspectives, and learn from seasoned experts significantly contributed to my personal and professional development.
Through the program, Ilca also shared her story in the 2024 annual report of the Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA), highlighting the transformative impact of investing in early-career professionals. Reflecting on her experience, she notes that SADC–GMI connected her with mentors and colleagues across Africa—relationships that strengthened her confidence, broadened her perspective, and helped shape her career trajectory.
Ilca’s engagement with the Young Professionals Programme reflects a reciprocal model of growth. While strengthening her technical and professional capabilities in groundwater and water resources management, she actively contributed to program activities, demonstrating how mentorship and targeted investment can generate lasting value for both individuals and institutions.
By collaborating with peers from across SADC Member States, Ilca gained first-hand insight into the diverse approaches countries take toward groundwater governance, monitoring, and sustainable use. These regional exchanges expanded her understanding of practical and policy solutions, enhanced her capacity for cross-border cooperation, and significantly broadened her professional network.
Today, Ilca is well positioned to apply her training and experience to advance sustainable water management across the SADC region. She aims to leverage her technical knowledge, regional insight, and collaborative experience to support resilient groundwater management, evidence-informed policymaking, and inclusive capacity-building initiatives that contribute to long-term water security for communities and ecosystems.
Ilca, alongside fellow program participants, acknowledges the critical role played by funding partners—including the Global Environment Facility, CIWA, and the World Bank—in enabling opportunities that extend far beyond academic achievement. Carrying this gratitude forward, she is committed to advancing sustainable groundwater management throughout the region.
Through stories like Ilca’s, CIWA and SADC–GMI reaffirm their commitment to nurturing the next generation of water leaders—professionals whose impact will shape a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable water future for Southern Africa.
This story was originally published on the SADC-GMI website and is republished here with permission.
