20
FEBRUARY, 2022
It is a sad experience to walk by our rivers that have been turned into dump sites by, unfortunately, the community that should be responsible for protecting them.
Eastern Cape is one of the provinces in South Africa with a such a high-water scarcity and drought in the country. Therefore, it is especially essential for our communities to unite in making sure that we look after our rivers as they are a major factor in water crisis.
Water scarcity involves water crisis, water shortage. Water scarcity can be due to physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity. Physical water scarcity refers to a condition where natural water resources are unable to meet a region’s demand, whereas economic water scarcity is a consequence of poor water management resources.
In many places in South Africa rural people depend, for their livelihood, on products derived directly from rivers. As a result, their relationship with rivers is close and their need for healthy rivers even more critical. The benefits of the healthy rivers are however not only limited to the rural communities but also urban communities who use rivers for recreational practices such as fishing.
Communities benefit from clean and healthy rivers. Clean and fresh water supports communities in their daily activities including consumption, cooking and washing.
As Makhanda, we already have drought but this is not the only cause of water shortage. A major player here is water pollution, especially the rivers. If we can save our rivers, we can contribute to curbing water shortages in the city.
The fish that live in healthy rivers can be used as an excellent food source. The dense, indigenous, riparian vegetation around healthy rivers also attracts animals and birds. Communities and even livestock stand a better chance of an improved quality of life when our rivers are clean and healthy.
Communities use clean and healthy rivers to perform cultural rituals, for making sacrifices and for communicating with ancestors. Rivers serve as sacred places for different religious and spiritual practices such as worship and ceremonial cleansing, for instance, baptism.
Clean, running rivers can be therapeutic too. Imagine being to come sit by the river with a book and just read while listening to the calming sound of the river flowing!