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26 March 2018 Photo Pixabay
Back to the drawing board to save water
We’ve managed to damage nature’s ‘filter’ with air, ocean, and soil pollution, and by destroying wetlands.

Dr Cindé Greyling, a University of the Free State (UFS) DiMTEC (Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa) alumni, studied drought mitigation with a strong focus on communicating important water-saving information. 

Can we run out of water?
Yes, and no, says Dr Greyling. “To our knowledge, water is not ‘leaking’ through our atmosphere. We have what we have, but that doesn’t mean we will have enough clean, fresh water forever. Nature has a magnificent way of purifying water through the water cycle. We, on the other hand, must use a lot of money and energy to purify water. Also, we’ve managed to damage nature’s ‘filter’ with air, ocean, and soil pollution, and by destroying wetlands. The other problem is a simple supply and demand scenario. More people will need more water, but not only that, population growth calls for industry development and increased food supplies – all of which require more water.”    

A war over water
Besides some Hollywood impressions, it is difficult to imagine a war over water, but it is possible. “Some experts are convinced that we are heading there, and others claim that such tensions already exist. Personally, I don’t favour these kinds of shock tactics (or truths) – social research has shown us that it rarely leads to behavioural changes. We can learn a lot from what was has been done in Cape Town. Although we all think people were bombarded with ‘Day-Zero’-scares, they were actually encouraged to adapt their behaviour with a communication campaign that hardly ever used the term ‘Day-Zero’. This approach mobilised citizens to reach record lows of water usage.” 

Adapt a new normal
Dr Greyling encourages the “new normal” set in motion by Capetonians. “Water consciousness is needed, even when the rain comes again. We’ve taken water for granted for too long. As consumers, we have the power to turn this situation around – drop for drop. Be aware about the amount of water you use, how you use it, and for what. Keep in mind that any wastage and pollution (of ‘dry’ things) also wastes and pollutes water. Generally, we need to behave better regarding consumption.”  

News Archive

The value of sport discussed by international figure
2010-03-31

 
At the presentation were, from the left, front: Ms Corrie Sears, University of Nebraska; Ms Martie Nortje, Corporate Relations at the UFS; back: Dougie Heymans, KovsieSport at the UFS; and Prof. Niel Viljoen, Vice-Rector: Operations.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 
The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Divisions Corporate Relations and KovsieSport recently hosted the Director of Academic Marketing from the University of Nebraska in the United States of America, Corrie Sears. She conducted a presentation on “The value of sport for a university’s brand.”

According to Ms Sears, branding must be an integral part of a university’s awareness campaigns. This could help to increase attendance on sports days. Ms Sears’s presentation also left attendees with some good examples on creating the right atmosphere on the day that a sports game is played. The University of Nebraska is known for their more than 300 consecutive total sell-outs of their football games.

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