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Thursday, July 30, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
The Southern Africa Water Wire
SOUTH AFRICA: Water Supply Proposal Sparks Controversy and Suspicion
A plan to increase the supply of potable water to two coastal towns in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province is provoking heated debate.
HEALTH-DR CONGO: Water Everywhere, But Is It Safe To Drink?
The rain falls in battering sheets, rolling eastward along the Congo River through Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is midday, but the sky turns black and soon the potholed streets of this decrepit yet vibrant metropolis are filled with pond-sized puddles, many of them larger than the cars that traverse them.
Q&A: "Between Implementation and Planning, There Is a Disconnect"
Accounting for about a third of the gross domestic product in sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture clearly plays a significant role on the continent. But, figures only tell part of the story. A review of Africa produced under the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) notes that agriculture is also "woven into the fabric of most societies and cultures in the region."DEVELOPMENT-MALAWI: Water Utility Over-Stretched and Under-Maintained
Long known as a peaceful and quiet city, especially at night, Blantyre is steadily losing its reputation for tranquility. Residents now find themselves waking up to the hustle and bustle of women carrying metal and plastic buckets as they move around the city most nights and early mornings in search of water.DEVELOPMENT- ANGOLA: Research Initiative Nets Interesting Discoveries
More than 50 species of fish have been recorded in the initial phase of a two-year joint research project on the Kwanza River in Angola.WORLD WATER DAY-SOUTH AFRICA: Celebrations in the Midst of Crisis?
South Africa is currently celebrating Water Week (Mar. 17-23) to coincide with World Water Day on Mar. 22. The week also coincides with a national crisis in confidence about the ability of government to provide citizens with safe drinking water.DEVELOPMENT-SWAZILAND: To Relocate or Not To Relocate?
Climate change appears to have permanently altered certain areas of east and southern Swaziland, where good harvests have not been achieved for over a decade. Agriculture officials and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) now question whether these areas can still support communities.
DEVELOPMENT-ZIMBABWE: Full Dams Do Not Translate Into Water Supplies
Heavy rains in Zimbabwe and in the catchment areas of its major rivers in December and January have filled most of the country’s dams to capacity. Yet, many urban households do not have water.
Q&A: "Simply Not Enough People Committed to Proper Water Management"
Following several incidents that have raised questions about water quality and distribution in South Africa, Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks has tried to allay fears about her department's ability to provide potable water to all South Africans.
HEALTH-SOUTH AFRICA: Too Few Trained Personnel. Too Much Aluminium?
The precarious state of water distribution in Grahamstown, a city in the south-east of South Africa, was highlighted again this month when taps ran dry for almost two days (Feb. 8 and 9) in a large section of the city. Grahamstown's reticulation system has failed residents several times over the last fourteen months in terms of water quality and reliability of supplies.RIGHTS-NAMIBIA: Gov’t Considering Water Subsidies For Poor
The Namibian government, frequently accused of making water unaffordable to the poor, is finally taking steps to address this countrywide problem that threatens to hamper the country’s efforts to meet the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by world leaders at a special United Nations General Assembly meeting in 2000.DEVELOPMENT: Unexpected Benefits of Lesotho Highlands Water Project
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) was conceived and built primarily to supplement the water supply of the industrial hub of South Africa. The additional water has however, provided an important benefit beyond the original aims of the project - it is reducing the salinity of the Vaal Dam reservoir.SWAZILAND: Greatest Threat to Reform Is a Short Memory
Did Swaziland learn nothing from last year’s devastating drought? Some relief agencies and agricultural officials are shaking their heads in dismay that 2007’s devastating crop failures did not spark reform in the way land is utilised in this small country of less than one million people.Q&A: ‘Water Meters Are Good for the Environment and Good for Wallets’
Water shortage is not uncommon in Cape Town, South Africa. For the past years the warm summer months - of November until February - saw water restrictions imposed by the city authorities. The restrictions prohibited residents from using potable water for the irrigation of lawns and gardens as well as using hosepipes to wash motor vehicles, pavements, and any movable or immovable structure.CLIMATE-MOZAMBIQUE: Once Again Flooding Brings Risk of Disease
Once again Mozambicans are assessing the damage left in the wake of devastating rains and burst river banks along the floodplains of the Zambezi, Búzi, Púnguè and Save Rivers. Nobody is sure how many people have perished in the most recent floods, but the final death toll could be well over one hundred.DEVELOPMENT-SOUTH AFRICA: Using Culture to Save Wetlands
Wetland conservation projects in South Africa have to take into consideration the culture, traditions and needs of local communities, according to Donovan Kotze of the University of KwaZulu Natal. He believes that the key to proper wetland management lies within communities living in and around these wetlands.SOUTH AFRICA: Government Set To Reach Sanitation Target. Is it Enough?
The South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has narrowly missed one of its most important targets, aimed at improving sanitation for the country's poorest people - but plans to make up the remaining ground soon.ZIMBABWE: Good Intentions Plus Poor Implementation Equals Dry Taps
A 20-litre bucket in hand, Abigail Shonhiwa ponders the stretch ahead in her journey to the next watering hole, a distance of about seven kilometres. Her suburb has been facing recurrent water shortages since 2000, in part because it is built on a plateau in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare.DEVELOPMENT-SOUTH AFRICA: Could Water Meters Be Unconstitutional?
More than 300 residents of Phiri, one of the poorest suburbs in Soweto, demonstrated outside the High Court in Johannesburg earlier this month to show support for a campaign to have pre-paid water meters declared unconstitutional. After a three-day hearing, the judge announced that he would make his findings known early in 2008.MALAWI: Crocodiles Make Fetching Water a Life Threatening Experience
Many communities around the world may take water for granted; but for those living along Malawi’s longest river, the Shire, water is something to die for. The 400 kilometre long river is the main outlet of Lake Malawi as it flows south into the Zambezi River.DEVELOPMENT-SOUTHERN AFRICA: Local is Essential
Local communities in Southern Africa should be given a greater opportunity to participate in initiatives for the management and conservation of natural resources such as water. This was one of the main conclusions of the third Zambezi Basinwide Stakeholders Forum, held recently in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.« Previous Page — Next Page »
The Southern Africa Water Wire provides in-depth coverage of a diverse range of water-related issues in Africa, linking water to economic development, social well-being and environmental protection. Local journalists from across the continent explore the challenges, failures and successes of managing this vital resource.
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