Implementing existing laws could have averted South Africa’s water crisis, yet the minister of water affairs has failed to do this, according to Mike Muller, visiting adjunct professor at the University of the Witwatersrand.
"Because water is shared by everyone, there have to be rules to govern the way it is used. But it’s a difficult resource to manage, and when things go wrong, the temptation is to blame the unpredictability of water supply, or the rules.
In fact, the problem is usually neither the water nor the rules, but the people concerned.
When politicians in trouble say that the rules need to be changed, be wary. Experience around the world shows that, more often than not, water laws are not the problem; they are simply not implemented. So, a proposal by South Africa’s minister of water affairs, Nomvula Mokonyane, to revise the two laws that underpin South Africa’s water security is worrying. We need to ask whether the problems are with the laws or with her department’s administration of them.
The two laws are the 1998 National Water Act and the 1997 Water Services Act. The former sets out how South Africa should cope with the vagaries of the country’s climate and the demands of a growing population. It stipulates what the various tiers of government and water users should do and what procedures should be used to address particular problems.
The Water Services Act, on the other hand, regulates municipal water supply and sanitation services. So what happens when there is no longer enough water to go around or to meet new needs? The current laws set out technical and administrative processes that need to be followed to deal with such scenarios. These allow water to be reallocated between existing users and those seeking water for the first time.
Esta historia es de la edición Farmer's Weekly 23 February 2018 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Farmer's Weekly 23 February 2018 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
