Young scientists from all over the world are putting their heads together to find sustainable water solutions for people in rural areas. One of them is North-West University (NWU) doctoral student Keaobaka Masego Mahoko, who will represent the institution at the 2025 Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Next Generation Digital Action Summit in Denmark in November.

Keaobaka’s selection follows her involvement with Ilambu Global Sustainable Initiatives and Development, the Water Research Commission, and the Technical University of Denmark. The initiative is part of a wider cooperation on water between Denmark and South Africa and involves partners such as the South African Local Government Association, the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Participants from Ghana, India, Mexico, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America, among other countries, will also attend the summit, being held in Copenhagen from 5 to 6 November.

Digital tools for rural households

One of the central challenges presented to participants is creating digital tools that allow rural households and communities to assess, access and act on water quality and availability data. Keaobaka has contributed to the development of a community-driven, data-informed model aimed at improving water security in rural India. The model uses local data and participatory approaches to help communities make decisions based on accurate and accessible information.

“Working with young academics from different disciplines has been valuable,” Keaobaka says. “It has expanded my understanding of how digital solutions can be applied to address water-related challenges in ways that directly benefit communities.”

The experience is expected to strengthen her future research and outreach work in South Africa. “I plan to apply the lessons from this project to local contexts, especially in areas that depend on groundwater,” she says. “The goal is to make water data more accessible and support decision-making that leads to sustainable development and improved food security.”

Keaobaka, based at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, is pursuing a doctorate in environmental sciences. Her research focuses on modelling the impacts of agricultural practices on groundwater resources in selected plots in the North West province. The aim is to improve water management, guide sustainable farming practices and ensure the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources. The study is linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 on zero hunger.

“The focus of my study is not only water. It is about food security in the North West province,” Keaobaka says. “By ensuring clean and adequate groundwater resources, we support efforts to end hunger and build sustainable agricultural systems.”

Keaobaka Masego Mahoko