Stay informed
SIWI newsletter
Receive SIWI’s latest news, events, reports and jobs directly in your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
News.
In loving memory of Kasonde Mulenga
Sadness surrounds SIWI colleagues following the untimely passing of a dear colleague and friend, Kasonde Mulenga. There is also a deep sense of gratitude for his time at SIWI, and his invaluable contribution to the water world.
At SIWI, Kasonde led the implementation of the Transforming Investments in African Rainfed Agriculture (TIARA) project in the Zambezi Watercourse countries. He supported SIWI’s Africa Regional Centre (ARC) in other activities related to water governance in Africa.
His background covered both water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as integrated water resource management, including groundwater, making him a strong addition to SIWI.
A huge gap in the water world
Kasonde’s absence will leave a huge gap in the effort to build trust between governments and other partners.
He had a knack for developing warm and friendly relations with colleagues from all walks of life and used this ability to lead teams to develop and implement water projects. His vision was a world where people have equitable access to clean water and are safe from water-related hazards. Kasonde’s work has been instrumental in expanding SIWI’s presence in the African continent and he was always an exemplary ambassador for the organization.
Contribution to Africa
Kasonde’s contribution to Africa’s water security is recognized across the water community. He added 20 years’ experience in water resources planning and project management in the region.
He contributed both in the public and private sector in Southern Africa. He was consulted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Groundwater Management Institute for technical support to the 16 member states in implementing pilot groundwater infrastructure projects.
Knowing Kasonde through travel
Several colleagues got to know Kasonde during travels together.
Kasonde’s love for Africa, its people and nature, was infectious, and he shared it without hesitation.
He had spent seven years working in Botswana as a technical manager for civil engineering services for building water infrastructure.
“During our project conference in Botswana, Kasonde made sure that I paid a visit to the Okavango Delta. He helped me with a visa glitch, not only because of the conference, but so I had a chance to experience the beauty of Botswana that he so dearly adored,” says Radhika Gupta, Communications Manager at SIWI.
“Kasonde had something extra, something special, that drew even the most senior people and officials in Africa to establish partnerships with our projects. He could do the same even in the most rural areas and act as an interpreter without a problem,” says Anton Earle.
“He was a big guy with an even bigger presence – soft spoken and a family man with great values,” says Julienne Ndjiki, Programme Officer at SIWI
Above all, anyone who had spent a moment with Kasonde, knows how much his family meant to him. Kasonde is survived by his wife Monica and three daughters.