South Africa’s drinking water is world-renowned for being among the best in the world. This is largely due to significant public investment in world class bulk water and sanitation infrastructure and purification technology since the country’s turn to democracy in 1994. But the legacy of apartheid spatial planning, rapid urbanisation, aging infrastructure and a sluggish economy means that over six million people are still left without access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation today.

Limpopo born Murendeni Mafumo is one of many young South African innovators bringing simple solutions to South Africa’s complex water and sanitation problems. He is the inventor of a water purification system that harnesses macadamia nut shells and nanotechnology to deliver clean, safe drinking water to communities which are not connected to the municipal water supply.

Through his Johannesburg-based social enterprise, Kusini Water, Murendeni supplies water filtration devices and bottled water commercially in a scheme which delivers 20 litres of water for every litre he is able to sell. He also works with NGOs, commercial sponsors and government to install his simple plug-and-play, solar powered water pump and filtration system in schools and clinics. The system is hooked up to the internet allowing it to be monitored remotely and maintained cheaply. To-date, Murendeni, Kusini Water and their partners are providing reliable access to over 1 million litres of safe drinking water per month to 14 urban and rural communities across 7 provinces in South Africa.

In a journey that takes him from his hometown of Shayandima in Venda to Cape Town, to the USA and then back to Johannesburg, Murendeni follows his passion for water to become the first industrial producer of graphene-based nanotech material in Africa. And as we listen to the water, we learn how Murendeni is able to bring hope with every drop.

For Water For Life – The water podcast tells the extraordinary stories of ordinary people who have made it their life’s mission to preserve, purify and protect South Africa’s water resources. This podcast series is made possible by JoJo – for water, for life.