This week, Premier Alan Winde hosted the Western Cape Water Indaba. During his keynote address, the premier stated that South Africa’s water scarcity challenges are as critical as the energy crisis and that while we address these crises, we must also learn from them in order to plan for the future more effectively.
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The Western Cape Water Indaba aims to bring together representatives from all three branches of government, as well as experts in water management and conservation, to discuss ways to better manage the world’s most valuable resource.
I am attending the Western Cape Water Indaba. SA’s water scarcity challenges are as critical as the energy crisis. While we are tackling these crises we must also learn from them to better plan for the future. pic.twitter.com/LfexAugvn7
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) March 22, 2023
It is well documented that South Africa is water-scarce. ‘We cannot afford to neglect this issue,’ stressed Premier Winde, adding, ‘We came dangerously close to Day Zero several years ago. From that close shave with an all-out disaster, we, along with our partners, learned valuable lessons.’
Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, attended the event and discussed how the City is investing heavily in improving and maintaining water infrastructure.
To address the province’s water management and scarcity issues, the Western Cape government has unveiled a 15-year integrated drought and water response plan.
The Western Cape 15-year Integrated Drought and Water Response Plan (WCIDWRP) coordinated by the Western Cape Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning – was detailed at the Indaba.
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) March 22, 2023
Premier Winde stated that it is the Western Cape Government’s overarching plan to strategically manage current and future water supply and demand and that it involves multiple Western Cape Government (WCG) departments working collaboratively to maximise water use and invest more in water infrastructure.
He said that based on expected economic and population growth, the bulk of new water demand will come from a handful of larger settlements. These fall largely within the greater Cape Metro region and surrounding Cape Winelands and West Coast N7 corridors, as well as parts of the Southern Cape.
With the Western Cape’s population growing rapidly and the worsening climate crisis, it is essential that we plan now for the future. There is a lot at stake if we do not plan, such as the impact on economic growth and job creation and residents’ quality of life.
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) March 22, 2023
Reporting on social media in regard to the event, the premier said that citizens must embrace innovation in order to address this issue, whether it takes the form of cutting-edge water filtration systems or devices that clean our rivers and seas.
He remarked, ‘With the Western Cape’s population growing rapidly and the worsening climate crisis, it is essential that we plan now for the future. There is a lot at stake if we do not plan, such as the impact on economic growth, job creation, and residents’ quality of life.’
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Picture: Unsplash