Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Media statements

These cities’ taps may be tightened; AfriForum shares tips to save water

ByAfriForum 16/10/202416/10/2024

AfriForum appeals to residents of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban to not leave the taps running unnecessarily. The organisation warns of possible stricter water restrictions that may be introduced because of water shortages in these cities. Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban are already suffering from level 1 water restrictions, but if residents do not comply, their taps can be tightened even more.

South Africa’s water crisis worsens almost daily and is mainly driven by climate change and the increasing demand for this essential source of life. Furthermore, outdated infrastructure, droughts, pollution and municipal mismanagement, which may leave people without reliable access to clean water, are also a contributing factor to the water crisis.

“Water is life. Electricity can be generated by solar energy, but there is no alternative to water. Residents cannot rely on their local municipality to share the necessary plans for when disaster strikes and there is no more water. That is why it is important that every person who uses water do so sparingly and have a plan in their home for when Day Zero may arrive,” says Tarien Cooks, Disaster Management Specialist for AfriForum.

To help residents, AfriForum has compiled a summary guide on how to save water before and during a drought. The best is planning in advance for a drought. Furthermore, AfriForum’s department for Environmental Affairs is putting pressure on municipalities to limit water losses for which the municipality is responsible – including leaking water systems, taps and fire hydrants.

During the water shortages in the City of Cape Town from 2015 to 2020, the Cape Town city council managed to escape Day Zero. This was possible by applying strict water restrictions, cooperation from residents and by already having plans for when a water crisis arises and by carrying out these plans successfully.

According to AfriForum, much more training and awareness must be created in communities to save water and how to act preventively in this regard.

Drought Download