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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

UFS hosts final ANC Centenary Seminar for 2011
2011-11-28

 

Prof. Benjamin Turok speaking about the Evolution of Economic Policy Thinking.
Photo: Henco Myburgh

The African National Congress (ANC) government is faced with the dilemma of an inherited distorted economy. Subsequently South Africa has the most unequal society in the world. That is according to Prof. Benjamin Turok, head of Political Education for the ANC in Parliament. Prof. Turok spoke at an ANC Centenary Dialogue at the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) on 23 November 2011.

 
Delivering the last lecture of the year in a series of dialogues about the ANC, Prof. Turok said it was hard to swallow that after 100 years there is still inequality. This for a party whose essence is the notion of sharing, as set out in the Freedom Charter.  Prof. Turok told the audience in a packed Odeion Theatre that the ANC Centenary provided a moment of reflection. “If we neglect the poor and uneducated and do not interfere and direct investment, we will always have inequality.”
 
Talking about youth unemployment, Prof. Turok said that no society can live in peace if young people are not employed. He said that he welcomed the energy the ANC Youth League has put in economic policy, but would like to see a youth league economic policy that is scientific.
 
The ANC Centenary Dialogue series has been hosted by the Centre for Africa Studies and will continue on 15 February 2012.

 

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