Save Our Schools non-profit organisation (SOSNPO) launched an educational fundraising campaign at the V&A Waterfront, Wishing Well for Communities, in celebration of World Water Day on Tuesday. World Water Day is an annual UN observance day, which seeks to advocate for the responsible management of our water resources. This year, the theme was Groundwater, an invisible … [Read more...]
Improving water security in the uMkhomazi catchment
When the community members of Nzinga requested assistance with the clearing of alien vegetation to improve access for their livestock for grazing purposes, the Sappi-WWF partnership saw this as a great fit for the work being done in the uMkhomazi catchment to improve water security in the area. As a result, a team of 10 individuals has been identified, appointed, and trained … [Read more...]
Groundwater: protecting SA’s ‘invisible resource’
Groundwater is a critical resource to the world. In fact, it provides almost half of all drinking water worldwide, not to mention about 40% of water for irrigated agriculture and about 1/3 of water required for industry. More than this, it is also crucial in sustaining ecosystems, maintaining the base flow of rivers and even in preventing land subsidence and seawater … [Read more...]
Better recycling needed to protect limited water resources
Water, as we know, is a limited resource that is essential for all life on this planet. This makes it all the more astounding that so many of us simply take it for granted, especially in a semi-arid country like South Africa. This should clearly demonstrate that it is vital that the nation as a whole changes the value it places on this life-giving resource. World Water Day … [Read more...]
Increasing water scarcity remains a deadly threat to SA’s poor
Today is World Water Day. South Africa’s water security continues to be vulnerable and has again come into focus following the findings of a UN report warning that global water scarcity is increasing. National Water Week, overlapping Human Rights Day and World Water Day, is serving to highlight findings in the United Nations World Water Development Report 2019 (WWDR) which … [Read more...]
Companies celebrate World Water Day collaboration
Dignitaries, celebrities and CEO’s celebrated World Water Day last week at the V&A Waterfront in collaboration with SOS Save Our Schools (SOS). SOS campaigns highlight and assist with water security and access to water as a basic human right to enable dignity. Save Our Schools (SOS) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) are working together to build a Water … [Read more...]
World Water Day puts the spotlight on marine pollution
There has never been a better time to act against marine pollution. This is the opinion of Charlotte Metcalf, executive member of the South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA). Statistics quoted by organisations like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund highlight the dangerous levels of marine pollution and, together with her member bottlers, are striving … [Read more...]
A change of heart for water & sanitation
What do we use drinking water for in this country? “To flush our toilets, to bath or shower, to wash our hands and cars and to irrigate our gardens. How much of this drinking water is actually used for drinking?” asked Councillor David Botha (pictured, right) from the Stellenbosch municipality during the university’s World Walk for Water and Sanitation this week. The event … [Read more...]
Yes to the Princess, No to the Mall
Imagine a people’s park where we can come together to picnic, enjoy nature, be creative and listen to great music? Help us make this happen at Princess Vlei. Come and enjoy: Spectacular live bands including the internationally acclaimed John Wizards and Isongo Livingstone High Jazz Band and our favourite DJ, Rozzano Great food on sale, or bring your own Pony rides … [Read more...]
Protest against fracking threatening water
“Fracking no, fracking never! Clean energy, now and forever!” chanted about 140 protestors from various communities in Cape Town, as they took to the street on Human Rights Day, to protest against plans that Royal Dutch Shell and other companies have to explore for shale gas in the Greater Karoo Basin. Earthlife Africa Cape Town staged the protest, to highlight the threat … [Read more...]
Why aren’t water issues in the COP17 agenda?
'We need coordination and collaboration of international organization,' said Julia Bucknall (Manager of the Bank's central unit for Water, World Bank durning the session 'Water and Climate Change: The Road to COP17.' The World Water Day conference held at Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC), noted that unfortunately water issues are not currently integrated … [Read more...]
There is no alternative to water
Communities need to join with the public sector to solve the worldwide water crisis. The problem can no longer be resolved from the top down. This important insight was mentioned during a discussion at the World Water Day conference held at Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC). Delegates from around the world discussed water issues in the urban environment. We … [Read more...]
Water turns Table Mountain Blue
Southern Africa's best known landmark, Table Mountain, was lit in blue on Friday night by HRH the Prince of Orange (Netherlands) and Under Secretary General of the United Nations and the Executive Director of UN Habitat. The lighting was to commemorate the right to water and this years' UN World Water Day themed 'Water and Urbanization, Responding to the Urban Challenge' which … [Read more...]