Tailored Professional Tribute

George Ekama

Distinguished Departed Pioneer

Professional background

George Ekama (1949-2023) was born in The Netherlands. His family left the post-WWII Netherlands in the 1950s for a new life in South Africa. George earned his Bachelor with honours from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and then worked to pay back the student bursary he had received. “To keep his neurons from dying out” he enrolled for evening classes, where he met Professor Gerrit Marais. George joined Marais’ group at UCT and completed an exceptional PhD in 1978. George and Gerrit were to become giants in biological wastewater treatment. George was Professor from 1991 until his retirement in 2019. He continued his active research until a severe stroke in 2020 ended his career. 

Major Contributions to IWA

George was happiest in the lab and had a deep impact on IWA. Biological nutrient removal research, developing at UCT from the 1980s on, was a key part of the celebrated IWA Activated Sludge Models.  George was a major contributor to and editor of the IWA best-selling book Biological Wastewater Treatment. More than once, he told IWA colleagues at conference discussions “to keep the main thing the main thing”, reminding us to remain focused.

George received the IWA Project Innovation Award in 2012 and in 2013 he was awarded the South African Order of Mapungubwe Silver by the President.  In 2017 the South African Academy of Science named him among 53 scientists across all fields who are ‘Legends of South African Science’. George was listed as a Water Research Commission ‘Legend’ in 2021. His impact on the water profession was monumental. Still, he was modest about his achievements and preferred to highlight teamwork and dedication. He was last celebrated at the 2023 IWA Water Resource Recovery Modelling Seminar, Stellenbosch, South Africa. 

Authors: Gustaf Olsson, Sweden and Kate Ekama, South Africa