Executive Director: Water Services 

                            Dumisani Sanele Gqiba

The love of Mathematics and Science as a young boy has helped him become what he wants to be in the water and sanitation field.

Dumisani Sanele Gqiba (53) from Ngqeleni, near Umthatha, in the Eastern Cape, has just been appointed as the Executive Director, Water and Sanitation Services at Harry Gwala District Munciaplity.

Gqiba matriculated at Blythswood Institution in Butterworth, Eastern Cape. He pursued a Bachelor of Science (BSC) degree in Geology and Applied Mathematics at the then University of Durban Westville, which is now the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 1989, graduating with Dean’s commendation. He then did a BSC Honours degree in Applied Geology at the University of Witswatersrand in 1991. He was employed by the Western Holdings Gold mine in the Free-State as a Rock Mechanic.

Being inspired by Nelson Mandela’s words: “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world,” Gqiba pursued a Higher Diploma in Computer Science at the University of Witswatersrand in 1991. More so, he further acquired a Diploma in Data Matrix at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in 1999.

Gqiba was then appointed by the Department of Water Affairs, which is now the Department of Water and Sanitation in King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape in the Water Resources Management Directorate. Thereafter, he moved to Council for Geo-Science in Pretoria in the Water and Environment Section for eight years.

Because of his innate drive and tenacity for water services Gqiba did a National Diploma in Civil Engineering at the Central University of Technology in the Free State, which he passed with Cum Laude. Subsequent to that, he pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech Degree) at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria.

He has also worked at consultancy firms such as Ground Water Africa, Engineers and KV3 Consulting Engineers. Before being appointed at Harry Gwala, he was at the Alfred Nzo District Municipality, where he was employed as the Water Conservation and Water Demand Manager and later the Director of Water Services Provisioning (Operation and Maintenance).

He is registered as a Professional Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Profession, SACNASP , Pr. Nat. Sc  . In addition to that, he is also registered as a candidate Engineering Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

“I want to ensure that I contribute to implementing the vision of Harry Gwala District Municipality by ensuring that basic water services are delivered efficiently, water schemes are functional, reduction of backlog and very importantly, develop Human Resources by ensuring that plumbers are registered artisans, that there are process controls to the required standards of regulation.

He has acquired numerous awards in Best Project Implementation in Barbeton, Best Implementation of the Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant (MWIG), where he devised models to spend the grant effectively and the acquisition of more funding in the Eastern Cape Province.