Water Engineering: Epilogue

Epilogue

My Water Affairs career came to an end when Minister George Bartlett appointed me as Director-general of the Department of Public Works in 1991. I was attending a meeting in Swaziland about the Komati Basin development plans, chaired by Minister Magnus Malan, who had shortly before been appointed Minister of Water Affairs. I had hesitated to accept the appointment and my wife did not want me to, seeing that I was so happy where I was. I accepted because I was about 60 years old at the time and the DG of Water Affairs, Dodo Claassens was only a year older. Even if he were to retire a bit early, I might have been overlooked for the post because it might not have been worth appointing me for the few years of service left to me. I accepted mainly because of the pension benefits. Looking back over my years in water engineering and management, I experience a sense of deep satisfaction. It is likely that, if my family had remained in Belgium, I would not have had such career.

My service was recognised in a number of ways. The Department of Water Affairs honoured me with the Alfred Lewis gold medal accompanied by a citation reproduced below; I was elected honorary fellow of the SA Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE); I was invited to present the Hendrik van der Bijl memorial lecture - a singular honour in view of the prominence of previous speakers; and my Alma Mater, the University of Stellenbosch awarded me an honorary doctorate in 1994. While I was DG of the Department of Public Works, SAICE elected me as Vice President. Unfortunately, I had to decline nomination to the post of President, because as public servant, I would have to take long leave to visit all the branches, as is the custom in that organisation. SAICE also nominated me to chair the Water Tribunal, a body created by the Water Act to resolve disputes in the water field. Attached is a letter of support addressed to the Judicial Service Commission by the Senior Water Advisor of the World Bank. I was also given the opportunity to rise through the ranks of ICOLD and become its President! In the course of my career I had the great privilege to meet President Mandela on various occasions.

The World Bank 1818 H Street N.W. (202) 477-1234

INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT Washington, D.C. 20433 Cable Address: INTBAFRAD

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION U.S.A. Cable Address: INDEVAS

February 28, 1999

The Secretary

Judicial Service Commission

PO Box 258

Bloemfontein 9300

Dear Sir/Madam:

I was delighted to learn that Theo Von Robbroeck has been nominated as Chairman of the Water Tribunal by the South African Institute of Civil Engineers.

I have known Mr. Von Robbroeck in a variety of capacities – as a young graduate in 1970 I worked in Theo’s division at the Department of Water Affairs; in the late 1970s when I worked in the Water Ministry in Mozambique I and colleagues worked with Theo on the international water concerns which Mozambique and South Africa shared; and over the last two years I have worked with Theo in his capacity as Honorary President of ICOLD in helping to set up the World Commission on Dams.

Over these almost 30 years my impression of Theo has never changed, but just deepened. He is correctly regarded as a world leader on the technical aspects of water resources management. He is equally known by those who have worked closely with him as a person of great personal integrity and commitment to doing the right thing no matter what the political winds of the day. (When I was in Mozambique, for example, despite very complex relations between South Africa and Mozambique, Theo always ensured that Mozambique was treated fairly.)

South Africa faces great challenges in managing water efficiently and fairly. I am delighted that a Water Tribunal is being set up as part of the new water management system, and equally delighted to unconditionally recommend Theo as Chairman of the Tribunal. He would, of course, also make an excellent member of the Commission.

Yours sincerely,

John Briscoe

Senior Water Advisor

Alfred Lewis gold medal citation Department of Water Affairs 1991

English text

Citation

Dedicated with sincere gratitude to Mr Theo van Robbroeck for the considerable contribution rendered by him towards the advancement of the water engineering profession in South Africa and of the image of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry by means of:

The planning of resourceful water transfer schemes.

The development of a national water management policy.

The leading role played by him in national as well as international professional associations.

His role as a “water diplomat”.

His diligence perseverance and vision that gave form to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.