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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

Stagedoor 2014 winners
2014-03-31


Akasia
Photo: Jerry Mokoroane



Veritas
Photo: Jerry Mokoroane

The highlight of the annual arts and culture calendar, Stagedoor 2014, was a huge success, with Akasia and Veritas announced as the winners. More talent was also evident at Sonnedou and Wag-‘n-Bietjie, achieving second and third place in the women’s residence division respectively.

In the division for men’s residences, Vishuis was in second place and Villa Bravado in third place.

This year’s theme for the 2014 McDonald’s Stagedoor Finals was ‘Aint nobody got time for that’. The packed Odeion and Kovsie Church were more than enough evidence that everybody has time for singing. Tonderai Chiyindiko, Senior Officer at Arts and Culture: Student Life and Leadership, said that Stagedoor is a perfect example of the diversity of our cultural expression on campus.

Stagedoor is a fun-filled music-theatre competition between campus and city residences where students compete earlier on in the week in rotation rounds, before six to seven residences go through to the finals where they compete for the first place.

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