Every industry, from mining to agriculture to manufacturing, depends on water, yet, many of the same industries pollute, over-abstract, or degrade the very water systems they rely on.

This is not just an environmental issue, it is an economic one.

Join host Rumbidzai Takawira as she speaks to Professor Mark Nyandoro, Senior Lecturer in Economic History at the University of Zimbabwe, specialising in water, climate, and development.

His work connects water governance to economic growth, inequality, and long-term development , helping us understand how history continues to shape today’s industrial choices.

We ask difficult but necessary questions:

Can Zimbabwe industrialise without collapsing its water systems?

And is pollution cheaper than compliance?

Today on The Conservation Conversation (Tuesday 17 February 2026), we dive into the history and foundations of Zimbabwe’s water story in Episode 01 of the Zimbabwe Water Dialogue Series.

Before we talk about shortages, pollution, or the future, we must understand where it all began.

How was Zimbabwe’s water system designed?What did we inherit at independence? Was Zimbabwe ever truly water-scarce, or did management failures shape today’s crisis?

Join Host Rumbie Takawira in conversation with:

Eng. Takudza Makwangudze – Director, Engineering & Hydrological Services, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA)

And

Professor Hodson Makurira - Pro Vice Chancellor, Infrastructure Development & Digitalisation, University of Zimbabwe

This week on The Conservation Conversation

We officially launch The Zimbabwe Water Dialogue, in partnership with the University of Zimbabwe.

Rumbidzai Takawira sets the scene for a national conversation on water, why this dialogue matters, what it hopes to achieve, and how water touches every part of Zimbabwe’s future, from communities and industry to policy and climate resilience.

🎙️ Featuring Professor Hodson Makurira, Pro Vice Chancellor (Infrastructure Development & Digitalisation), University of Zimbabwe.

Water is life. The conversation begins tonight.

#WaterDialogue #ZimWaterDialogue #ZimWater #water #conservation