Bremen delegation visits BORDA in Durban and Windhoek

Updated on February 13, 2025
by borda_freelance

As part of a ten-day delegation trip by the City of Bremen to Windhoek (Namibia) and Durban (South Africa), 25 representatives from business, science, culture, sport and non-profit organizations visited initiatives and projects in the two partner cities. BORDA was represented on this trip by our Regional Director for Africa, David Dietz, ensuring that our organization’s valuable perspectives contributed meaningfully to the delegation.

The trip provided a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of international partnerships and the strength of collaborative initiatives. In particular, the focus was on Bremen cooperation initiatives that promote sustainable development and address local challenges in a targeted manner.

BORDA in Windhoek: Cooperation for sustainable solutions

In Windhoek, the delegation visited a joint project that was developed in close cooperation between the municipal authorities of Bremen and Windhoek and BORDA. This project focuses on improving wastewater management in informal settlements in Windhoek. BORDA provided technical expertise and planning support to develop innovative approaches to improving local sanitation services.
The visit was an impressive demonstration of how international cooperation can provide important impetus for sustainable sanitation. This project highlights how our organization can make an impact through targeted local support.

Durban: BORDA sets standards with research, demonstration and training center

In Durban, the delegation visited a BORDA-managed facility: the “Newlands Mashu DEWATS Demonstration and Research Facility”. This facility, which we operate together with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the municipal utility company, “eThekwini Water & Sanitation”, serves as a research, demonstration and training center. Here we test innovative technologies for wastewater treatment and create a platform for practice-oriented training and scientific research.

The participants of the delegation trip were given a tour of the facility and gained valuable insights into our work. A highlight was the visit of Bremen’s mayor Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte. During a tour, our team was able to highlight the importance of this facility and its close connection to international partners. This meeting shows how BORDA, as a Bremen-based organisation, is actively shaping the long-standing city partnership between Durban and Bremen with practical initiatives and professional exchange.

Meeting with Werder Bremen: Working together for sustainable development

As part of the Durban visit, there was also a meeting between BORDA and SV Werder Bremen, represented by Dominik Kupilas, Head of Fan and Business Development. This meeting builds on an already established collaboration that has previously resulted in successful projects in other regions.

The encounter at the BORDA site provided an opportunity to discuss shared approaches and develop new ideas for future partnerships. Particularly within the framework of SV Werder’s “Football Development Program,” which supports young people and promotes sporting values, we see a strong foundation for further collaborations. Our organization welcomes this exchange and recognizes significant potential for building bridges through sports and education.

BORDA: A bridge between Bremen and the world

At BORDA, we believe in promoting international partnerships and acting as ambassadors for cooperation. City partnerships such as those between Bremen, Windhoek and Durban show how sustainable development can be achieved through joint engagement. Our goal is to make an effective difference through technical expertise, innovative projects and close collaboration with local stakeholders.
Our trips to Durban and Windhoek have once again made it clear to us that we are on the right track. We would like to thank the city of Bremen for the invitation and look forward to further developing these partnerships.