Africa Day 2026 | Water Security, Climate Change & Africa's Future | Keynote by Prof R. Tshimanga

Africa Day 2026 25 May 2026 Amazwi South African Museum of Literature, Makhanda, South Africa This recording captures the Africa Day 2026 celebration featuring a keynote address and panel discussion on Africa's future, with a particular focus on water security, climate resilience, sustainable development, and African leadership. The event brought together leading academics, practitioners, development professionals, and emerging scientists to reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing the continent and the importance of strengthening African partnerships and expertise. Programme Welcome – Rooksana Omar (Director, Amazwi South African Museum of Literature) Welcome – Professor Sizwe Mabizela (Vice-Chancellor, Rhodes University) Introduction to the theme and panel – Professor Nelson Odume (Director, Rhodes University Institute for Water Research) Keynote Address – Professor Raphael Tshimanga Panel Discussion – Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, Mr Thabo Kabini and Ms Lungelihle Dlamini Audience Question & Answer Session Vote of Thanks – Orla Quinlan (Director, Rhodes University Global Engagement Division) Keynote Speaker Professor Raphael Tshimanga is Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources at the University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Director of the Regional School of Water and the Congo Basin Water Resources Research Center (CRREBaC). He is internationally recognised for his work in water resources management, climate resilience, capacity building, and sustainable development across the Congo Basin and Africa. In 2022 he received the Rhodes University Distinguished Alumni Award. Panelists Dr Boluwaji Onabolu is an international water, sanitation and public health specialist whose work spans academia, development organisations, and regional water governance in West Africa. Mr Thabo Kabini is Senior Specialist for Water Infrastructure at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), with extensive experience in engineering, integrated water resources management, and development finance. Ms Lungelihle Dlamini is an emerging freshwater ecologist, science communicator, author, and environmental advocate whose research focuses on plastic pollution in South African rivers and youth leadership for environmental justice. This event was hosted as part of the Africa Day celebrations by Rhodes University in partnership with Amazwi South African Museum of Literature. If you enjoyed this discussion, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with others interested in Africa's future, water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development. #AfricaDay #WaterSecurity #ClimateChange #Africa #RhodesUniversity #Hydrology #WaterResources #Sustainability #ClimateResilience #IntegratedWaterResourcesManagement #EnvironmentalJustice #CongoBasin #Research #PanelDiscussion Index 00:00 Welcome 04:20 Rooksana Omar 11:28 Professor Sizwe Mabizela 23:34 Professor Nelson Odume - Introduction 32:18 Professor Raphael Tshimanga - *Keynote*\ 01:01:37 Professor Nelson Odume 01:09:14 Panel discussion 02:15:16 Orla Quinlan - Thanks and closing