South Africa Enters a Water Crisis: Management, Agriculture, Public Health Considerations and Government Ineptitude are some of the Causes for this Grave Dilemma

Abstract

The paper looks at the water crisis in South Africa. The crisis of water to a developing country and to its people, to agriculture, to other important variables important and necessary to economic growth and development cannot be under estimated. South Africa is on the precipice because, it is faced with extreme levels of electricity load shedding that, is projected to continue for at least three years and is now confronted with a burgeoning water crisis. The current electricity crisis is a grim portent and soon South Africa will be in the same boat with water. It is simple the government is dragging its feet while the taps run dry. There is no doubt that there is political doublespeak in respect to water access in the country. The paper posits and argues that the lack of rain also compounds the problem of the water crisis. Agriculture is seriously threatened as dry spells damage agricultural output and maize prices rise. The paper further argues that that the cost of water losses is increasing and damaging a very fragile economy and stymies development. It is therefore, vital and most important that water resources have to be managed for purposes of food production. On the other hand, the paper alludes to some ways to fix the water woes of South Africa. In this regard the paper posits and argues that political will and administrative and regulatory changes are necessary and needed to reduce the problems. In finding solutions, the paper will unpack the need to conserve groundwater and will also discuss salinity management in terms of favourable water balance. It also shows that rainfall forecasting requires more investment, including decisive political and administrative intervention by government in many directions. The paper concludes by unpacking the need for greater public health awareness and more research because the water crisis can cause devastating public health consequences.