Sustainable Water International

Vision

A prosperous world where human and non-human beings have access to adequate, safe and sustainably managed water.

Mission

To promote access to adequate, safe and sustainably managed water for ecosystems at the intersection of climate change and development induced disadvantage.

Objectives

To promote access to safe and adequate water for human and non-human beings in ecosystems experiencing adverse effects of climate change and development.
To improve the participation of local communities in enhancing the quality, usage, and governance of water resources in their communities.
To strengthen sustainable development through collecting, analysing, and disseminating data on water related hazards on human and non-human beings.

Our Statement of Values

We are a non-partisan organization,

With a belief that water determines the quality of all life and development on our planet.

So, we strive to be responsive to the water needs of all human and non-human beings,

promoting harmony and sustainability in everything connected to water.

We remain transparent and accountable in all our work.

With approximately 2.1 billion people living without access to safely managed water services worldwide, and roughly 80% of waste water contaminating fresh water bodies, it is difficult for the world to achieve water-related SDG targets by 2030. This makes day zero drought almost imminent, especially for vulnerable groups and endangered species. Conflicts between and among humans and wildlife over sources of water are also likely to increase. The situation is more devastating in climate-stressed and least developed communities. They are experiencing heightened depletion and pollution of water resources, rising mean temperatures, long dry spells, unpredictable and unreliable precipitation, and massive non-productive run-off. All this has contributed to the extinction and migration of other beings of the ecosystem.

Sustainable Water International believes that:

IF a symbiotic relationship between human interactions and other beings in ecosystems experiencing climate stress and development-induced disadvantage is restored and strengthened;

IF ordinary people are empowered and organized to participate in the management of water resources and the broader environment around them, side-by-side with actors from diverse sectors, regions and countries;

IF vulnerable groups including children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities in climate-stressed and least-developed communities are supported with simplified early warning information on all water related hazards, and preventive, curative and mitigatory interventions;

THEN, all human and non-human beings in ecosystems experiencing adverse effects of climate change and development-induced disadvantage will regain access to safe, adequate and sustainably managed water.

Such restoration is a prerequisite for least-developed communities to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. Besides the explicit SDG 6 on water and sanitation, water plays a pivotal role in almost every other SDG target. It is to this effect that SWI welcomes diverse stakeholders, to join hands and collaborate towards the implementation of its development hypothesis.

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located between Zambezi river in the north and Limpopo river in its southern border. The country contains of 5 climatic regions. Although there is little evidence showing changes in rainfall patterns, Zimbabwe has been undergoing significant temperature rise from as early as 1900. It is projected warming of about 2°C by 2080 and a decrease of annual rainfall between 15 and 18% in the country especially in the South and Western parts. Communities in the South, South-west, and South-East are hot and semi-arid, with average annual rainfall of approximately 300mm. This places Zambezi river and Kariba dam, in the north and Limpopo river, Tugwi and lakes like Mutirikwi and Kyle in the South as critical focus areas for SWI. Although communities in the South – South-western belt practices crop farming, climatic conditions in the area mainly supports wild life and livestock rearing. Unpredictable precipitation and long dry seasons with high temperatures between September and November usually lead to depletion of most water resources along the South – South-western parts of the country. This affects livestock, humans, and wild life in this part of the country. Temperatures range between 18°C and 23°C in the North and Eastern parts of Zimbabwe. This region receives above 1000mm of rainfall annually, making it humid and sub-tropical. Overall, productivity in Zimbabwe is projected to decline by 30% by 2030 due to average temperature rises and rainfall variability.

We operate in Tsholotsho, Chiredzi, Hwange, Kariba, Mbire, Muzarabani, Buhera, and Birchenough bridge. These are within the low lying, dry and hot regions known as Zambezi valley and Save-Limpopo basin. These areas experience temperatures reaching as high as 40°C. We also operate in areas previously affected by floods including Chipinge and Chimanimani. We also implement programmes in Harare and Bulawayo, assisting communities and stakeholders to address water problems. The organization also collaborates with diverse stakeholders including companies, government departments and non-governmental organizations to promote integrated water resources management across the country.

In Zimbabwe, Sustainable Water International is led by a non-salaried board of 7 members. Each board member brings unique expertise in the work that we do and their collective leadership makes Sustainable Water International a high performance organization. The diversity of our board also informs the variety of our programming. To harness their technical expertise, each board member chairs a specific Working Committee in which they work with SWI units in developing exciting programs.

Bernadette Samukange-Tichiwangana

A trailblazing community development and humanitarian practitioner with over 30 years of transforming the lives of children and women in low income households in Zimbabwe. Throughout her practice, Bernadette worked with vulnerable groups and marginalized communities.

Prof. V. Mabvurira

With over 40 research publications, Professor Mabvurira brings expertise in research informed practice with vulnerable communities. He is a social work researcher with over 15 years of teaching and researching in Zimbabwe and South Africa. His research and practice interests include ecological social work and practice with vulnerable groups.

Annastacia Dhumukwa

An accomplished legal practitioner, with over 15 years of practice in Zimbabwe. She also teaches at the University of Zimbabwe. Annastacia is also a researcher of note. She has published her research in several reputable journals. Her research interests include climate change, gender spaces and migration.

Tinashe Mukonzvi

An environmental health specialist with over 15 years of leading a vibrant consultancy firm in Zimbabwe. Tinashe and his team have accomplished several Environmental Impact Assessments across Zimbabwe and assisting government authorities, business corporations and private individuals to comply with environmental policies.

Chipo Zvenyika

An incredible accounting professional with over 8 years of bookkeeping in high-performance corporates and government ministries in Zimbabwe. She is currently studying towards her GSI (formerly CIS).

Dr. N. Aribino

Possesses vast experience in leading impactful community empowerment and policy advocacy in Zimbabwe. Throughout his career, Dr. Nicholas worked to advance the rights of people with disabilities. His passionate engagement with disadvantaged individuals, groups, and communities and his research interests in strengthening the powerless enriches SWI.

Dr. P. P. Butau

A medical doctor with over 5 years in delivering public healthcare service in Zimbabwe. Dr. Butau is currently practising at Harare Hospital and specializing in gynaecology. He has also led several pro-bono campaigns in rural communities, assisting disadvantaged people to access basic medical services.

Zambia, a country located North of Zambezi river controls approximately 40% of the water resources in Southern Africa. Much of its water comes from huge rivers such as Zambezi, Kafue Luangwa and lakes such as the Mweru, Tanganyika, and Kariba. However, Zambia has experienced an increase in the frequency of floods and droughts in the past four decades. Its rain season has become shorter and the country witnessed a 1.3°C increase in temperatures between 1960 and 2003. Temperatures are projected to rise by 3.4°C by 2060, especially in the Southern and Western regions of the country. Heavy rains are also projected to intensify especially in the North and Eastern parts of the country.

In Zambia, we operate in Kabwe City. This is an area considered as a sacrifice zone due to its elevated levels of lead (Pb) contamination. The city is home to over 700 thousand families. Kabwe used to operate the biggest lead and zinc mine and smelting company from 1902 to 1994. In 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimated that 0.015mg/l of Pb in drinking water is safe for human consumption. However, little is known about its threshold limit, making it a serious threat to people in Kabwe. Groundwater and shallow wells tests in Makululu revealed Pb concentrations in all the samples. They all exceeded WHO's safe drinking water levels. Lead poisoning occurs though inhaling dust, skin contact with contaminated surfaces and ingesting contaminated water, soil and objects. Each of these pathways require its own set of interventions. Whilst Pb contamination affects both adults and children, children's under-developed immune system, hand to mouth behaviour, and general curiosity worsen their vulnerability to high levels of lead poisoning. Kabwe is a subtropical climatic region, with an average of 900mm of rain per year. Since lead does not biodegrade, rainfall, soil erosion, and windy weather complicates the situation of human and non-human beings in Kabwe.

Who We Are

Where We Work

What We Do