Siphumze stands next to his water desalination project poster

By Poelo Irene Keta, Journalism and Media Studies student

Siphumze Bani is a Rhodes University October 2021 graduate who started his journey at the University in 2013. He has now completed his Masters in Biotechnology (distinction) with an impressive thesis project on water desalination through the Rhodes University Biotechnology Innovation Centre (RUBIC).

Desalination is the removal of dissolved salts from seawater and, in some cases, from the brackish waters of inland seas, highly mineralised groundwaters and municipal wastewaters. Bani majored in Microbiology and Biochemistry and finished his undergraduate degree in 2016. He also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Life Sciences).

Bani comes from Willowvale, a small town in the Eastern Cape, which he fondly describes as being "surrounded by trees and hills." Sadly though, Bani explained, "Whenever I came home for the holidays, the water tanks were dry, and people had to go collect water from rivers such as the Qhora River. That's what drives me and my project – the water issues facing my hometown and the water situation happening in Makhanda."

When comparing his hometown to Makhanda, he explains that he understands Makhanda's water crisis more than his hometown. "If you go to the location in Makhanda, you will see that the residents need help with domestic water management – particularly how to reuse water. But in Willowvale, bulk water construction is needed, such as drilling boreholes for difficult seasons like winter. Furthermore, the water from the boreholes would have to be tested to ensure it is safe for human consumption. It's very complicated," he said.

Currently, his project is open, Bani said. The journey is still long, as many theories still need to be proven. "We have to upscale what we have been doing at 'pilot-scale' before we can take it to the public. This would mean involving many more participants in what we are doing." Bani hopes he can one day go door to door and collect samples for the continuity of his project.

"The next step is to collect water from about 50 houses from the location in Makhanda and to observe the composition of that water and question residents about their water consumption in everyday activities, especially the quantity," he said.

Nokhaya Bani, Siphumze's mother, further confirmed the dire water situation in Willowvale and firmly believes her son may have some answers to help their community. "I'm 64 years old now, and I think that if he can complete this work, everything will be better here at home. I have back problems and cannot carry water by myself, let alone take myself to the clinic," she said.

Bani could not stop talking about the support he received from research groups and researchers at Rhodes University. He expressed his utmost gratitude to Associate Professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Professor Roman Tandlich and SARChI Chair in Biotechnology Innovation & Engagement at RUBIC, Professor Janice Limson, who served as his supervisor and co-supervisor, respectively and RUBIC’s Dr Ronen Fogel who guided his research in microbial fuel cell technology during his BSc Honours degree.

Prof Tandlich, in congratulating him noted that Bani’s distinction “is the result of academic rigour, resilience and the drive to apply his expert knowledge to improve management of sanitation waste in South Africa”. Prof Limson concurred, stating that Bani “was not only able to draw on his own personal experience as an inspiration, but engaged communities as part of his research, ensuring that the work ultimately was aimed at addressing real societal challenges”.