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20 March 2018 Photo Pexels
Water footprint important but misunderstood indicator
Water footprinting is the future of water conservation
The Water Footprint (WF) of a product, process or person provides an indication of how much fresh water is used, both direct and indirect, to produce a product, drive the process or lead a lifestyle. Although it is a very important indicator it is often misunderstood. Popular media contribute to this misunderstanding as they often use the WF to illustrate the large quantities of water used to produce a product without explaining what the footprint actually means.  

An example is a single kilogram of beef that has an average global WF 15 415 litres. This indeed sounds scary, but when one places it in context, the total WF includes 14 414 litres green water, 550 litres blue water and 451 litres grey water. Green water is the evapotranspiration of precipitation (rain), blue water is the fresh water from dams, rivers and underground sources, while grey water is the amount of fresh water required to dilute polluted water to acceptable levels.

According to Frikkie Maré, a lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State (UFS), the WF concept provides a new look at water conservation and sustainability. “Although the WF is not an indicator of sustainable water use, it is a useful tool to calculate total water demand and is used in the estimation of sustainability. Traditionally, water conservation was focused on the direct water use of individuals (time taken to shower, leaking taps etc.), but the WF now provides a tool to focus attention on total water demand.”

The Water Footprint Network assists individuals with this new trajectory on the water conservation front with the personal water footprint calculator that allows individuals globally to determine their personal water demand through their direct and indirect water usage. Maré believes this can cause the necessary paradigm shift in the aqua status quo by creating awareness among consumers on their total water demand.

With Water Week underway from 17-23 March 2018, UFS students and staff members are urged to make use of the personal water footprint calculator in order to become aware of the real importance of fresh water in our everyday lives.

News Archive

Kovsie Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year
2011-10-19

 

Thuso Mpuang en Gabisile Hlumbane
Foto: Leonie Bolleurs

KovsieSport honoured its top achievers at a glamorous gala dinner in the Centenary Complex on our Bloemfontein Campus on 13 October 2011.

The KovsieSportsman and KovsieSportswoman of the year were Thuso Mpuang and Gabisile Hlumbane respectively.

Gabisile is a member of the Banyana Banyana National Soccer Team. The team obtained a bronze medal at the African Women’s Championships during October 2010, a gold medal at the Unity Cup Hosted during December 2010, a silver medal at the COSAFA Women’s Championship hosted during July 2011 and qualified for the London Olympics in 2012.

Thuso represented South Africa during the World Athletic Championships in Deague, Korea. He obtained the silver medal in the 200m during the World Student Games in Shenzhen, China and a gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100m relay team.

Pieter Rademan (rugby) and Karla Mostert (netball) were named as the Junior Sportman and Sportwoman of the year, respectively.

Other nominations for this year in the women’s category were:

  • Lesley Ann George (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Champs Challenge in Ireland. The team finished fifth.
  • Nicole de Vries (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo.  The team obtained a gold medal.
  • Hettie Oosthuizen (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan.
  • Izelle Lategan (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan.
  • Nicole Kemp (hockey) – Member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.
  • Nelmaré Loubser (triathlon) – Represented the SA Elite Team during the World Championships in Spain.
  • Janette Siebert (athletics) – Represented South Africa during the Southern Africa Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.
  • Elsabe le Roux (karate) – Member of Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where she obtained a gold and silver medal.

Other nominations for this year in the men’s category were:

  • Boy Soke (athletics) - Represented South Africa during the Africa Cross Country Championships in Cape Town. He also represented South Africa during the World Cross Country Championships in China.
  • Boom Prinsloo (rugby) – He represented the Springboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series 2010 – 2011.
  • Bruno Schwalbach (karate) – Member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where he obtained two gold medals. He was also a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Common Wealth Karate Championship in Australia where he obtained one silver and two bronze medals. He was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the All Africa Games in Maputo Mozambique where he obtained a bronze medal.
  • Paul Rodrigues (squash) – He represented the South African U/ 23 team at the All Africa Squash Championships in Johannesburg.
  • Balungile Nchofe (karate) – He was a member of Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championship in Maputo where he obtained a gold medal.
     

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