It is through media awareness that we learn about environmental issues worldwide. We rely on a variety of sources such as television, print, newspapers and the Internet to educate us on issues such as global Warming, earthquakes, draughts, floods, tsunamis etc, and the devastating impact there of.

It is the poorer, less developed countries such as Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Somalia that are affected and impacted by these environmental issues. These countries lack in resources and have insufficient funding to address and resolve the devastation these issues cause.

South Africa has not escaped these environmental impacts. In the past we have experienced earthquakes, floods, draughts and pollution to name a few. However, the impact is greater on the poorer communities as opposed to the more developed ones. 

GLOBAL WATER CRISIS

Statistics show in the United Nations Human Development Report, that a minimum of 1.1 billion people living in developing countries has inadequate access to clean, safe water. Furthermore, a staggering estimated 2.6 billion people of our population, lack basic sanitation.  (Shah 2010) 1.8 Million children are dying each year from diarrhea as a result of water pollution and inadequate sanitation. 

One of The Millennium Development Goals, which consists of numerous goals and targets to alleviate poverty by 2015 included to: “reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.”

In 2010, it was reported that one third of the world population has to live in areas with insufficient water supply. It can be predicted that with continual climate change and population growth, in the future, the total number of people living in these conditions would escalate to half of the world’s population.

Reference: Thompson, L. (2008) Women Carrying Water. [Photograph] Available: http://www.wateraid.org/uk/about_us/media_centre/photo_downloads/default.asp. (Accessed: 17/04/2012)

The United Nations Human Development Report shows that inadequate water supply is strongly linked to poverty.  In developing countries, two in three people that live without access to adequate water supplies, survive on less than R15 a day. The water crisis extends itself beyond just a water problem. Overtime, the economy of the country is affected, as citizens are unable to work due to various water pollution diseases or sicknesses, which as a result has an overall impact on the countries functioning of the economy.

The United Nations has concurred that the water crisis is completely human-created and has only been a problem to this degree within the last two decades. It may be argued, that we are not necessarily dealing with a water shortage crisis, but rather a water management crisis globally.


UNESCO’s Third World Water Development Report predicts that by 2030, nearly half of humanity will be living in areas with major water stress. In some countries, pollution and depletion of economically important water resources have extended beyond the point of no return. Many nations face a future without reliable water systems.

Reference: Jansson, E.(2009) Unsafe Water Source [Photograph]. Available: http://www.wateraid.org/uk/about_us/media_centre/photo_downloads/default.asp. (Accessed: 18/04/2012)

In a documentary “World Without Water” compelled by Britain’s Channel 4, the documentary implies that the crisis is too, as a result of the commoditization of water.  In many countries, water has been promoted as a commodity as opposed to a human right.  By doing this, there is increased concern, that the poorer nations and people are too underprivileged to afford water.  Governments have placed a price on anything and everything even if it is not appropriate such as water, education and health among other things.

It can furthermore be noted that privatization of water resources in order to bring about business proficiency, has resulted in the poor no longer being able to afford and have access to basic needs such as water and adequate sanitation. The above documentary also notes that it is not necessarily privatization itself that is the issue at hand but rather the concept that it is not being practiced properly or fairly.

Water is a fundamental human right. It is a basic need with the perception of being a commodity; a privileged service that only the economically sound can afford. In Article 25 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which is the primary human rights policy that majority of the nations have signed, it states that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of circumstances beyond his control”.

In most countries, access to fresh, clean water is fast becoming a political problem, rather than a technical one. Water pollution is experienced everywhere around the world but has a major impact on third world and developing countries. (Shah 2010)

REFERENCE: Matson. (1936) African Woman Carrying Water [Photograph]. Available: http://www.middle-east-pictures.com/middle-east/Carrying-African-Woman-Water.html. (Accessed 18/04/2012)

SOUTH AFRICA WATER CRISIS

South Africa being a developing country is experiencing a variety of water crisis. Some of these include a mismatch between supply and demand, theft of water resources, decaying infrastructure, deteriorating water quality and loss of essential skills. (Herold, 2009)

THE LEGACY OF APARTHEID

The legacy of apartheid and social injustice has resulted in numerous challenges facing a sustainable future in South Africa and has lead to numerous environmental issues such as exploitation of resources, pollution, lack of adequate sanitation, insufficient supply of fresh water etc. Social inequality is still of great concern today as there is still evidence of racial separation and social injustice despite the post apartheid equality since 1994.

(Hushka and Mau, 2006). 

During apartheid the development of informal non-white settlements and spatial planning occurred, which has resulted in a country that is still trying to recover from environmental impacts of the past.  Today, there is still evidence of these black settlements increasing in South Africa.  As a result of poverty and an ongoing recession, these settlements are becoming an increasing necessity. There is a constant influx of rural-urban migration into these townships as many people are in search of work, resulting in a high-density area with overcrowded living conditions (Wisner, 1995). 

Post 1994, various strategies were implemented to provide the country with an improved life and to ensure that all are understood as equal (Hushka and Mau, 2006).  It is somewhat obvious that this has not yet been accomplished, as poverty is still the leading concern throughout Africa and South Africa. Environmental sustainability is entirely interrelated to that of inequality and poverty (Harris, 2000).  South Africa’s major drawback is that they are unable to fulfill the fundamental human needs in order to accomplish social equity. (Harris, 2000). 

Informal Settlements, which were developed during Apartheid, lacked substantial planning in terms of infrastructure, and are high-density developments that experience overcrowding and many social problems such as poor health, inadequate housing and insufficient utilities. These issues amongst others are still evident within townships today.

Reference: Petterson, A. (2011). Khayelitsha Township. At: Getty Images. Available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/feb/21/south-africa-bloated-welfare-state. (Accesssed 18/04/2012) 

These conditions force inhabitants to exploit natural resources in order to fulfill basic needs such as food, water and housing. For many of the residents within the settlement, it is about survival and as a result, the relationship between them and the environment is therefore often distant. (Wisner, 1995)

Racial segregation and income inequality is still evident today, as can be seen in the informal settlement Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay, Cape Town.  Imizamo Yethu originated in 1991 with the intention to house 455 squatter households.  (Harte, Hastings and Iraphne, 2006) In Xhosa, ‘Imizamo Yethu’ translates as the “People have Gathered”, and is more commonly known as “Mandela Park”. (Mercer, 2007) 

IMIZAMO YETHU - HOUT BAY TOWNSHIP

Hout Bay, most commonly known for its diverse culture, harbour and country atmosphere has become one of Cape Towns most popular tourist attractions.

In contrast to Hout Bay’s beauty, Imizamo Yethu’s residents live in abject poverty and are vulnerable to numerous environmental hazards.  In these townships, poverty forces the inhabitants to exploit the natural resources to satisfy their basic needs. This exploitation results in environmental issues.

Many of these residents live in cramped, over crowded, filthy conditions with no plumbing, sanitation, electricity, roads or established infrastructure for sustainable living.  A high proportion of the Imizamo Yethu residents, live in self-constructed shacks made from scraps such as plywood, plastic sheeting, advertising boards and corrugated iron. (Harte, Hastings and Iraphne, 2006) 

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN IMIZAMO YETHU

Among other environmental issues, some of the most concerning issues within the settlement include irregular garbage collection, a lack of proper sanitation, insufficient supply of fresh water, grey water pollution, felling of trees for firewood and land space, extensive rubbish, rodents, lack of electricity and intensified pollution. (Froestad, 2006) 

According to Hout Bays municipal Environmental Health Department, at least 51% of the Imizamo Yethu residents are living in a high-risk health category.  On average, this township generates 8617 tones of human waste per week, of which a minor amount is collected and dealt with.  (Froestad, 2006)

Reference: Maderdonner, O. (2011). Growing up in a township. Available: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/74621/view/. Last accessed 20/04/2012.

DISA RIVER CONCERN

One of the greatest challenges experienced in Hout Bay as a result of the Imizamo Yethu Township is the effect the settlement’s waste has on the Disa River, which runs from the Orangekloof Nature Reserve on top of Table Mountain, amongst the Wetlands and exits onto the main Hout Bay beach into the bay.  Water is a necessity and a human right; therefore it is vital that we rectify any water pollution to prevent illnesses and the negative impact on the flora and fauna.

Reference: 
Yeld, J. (2011). Disa River Wetland to be restored. Available: http://gctca.org.za/disa-river-wetland-to-be-restored/. Last accessed 20/04/2012. 

Since the development of the Imizamo Yethu Township, the Disa River has posed as a major threat to humans, birds and animals that comes into contact with the river or surrounding wetlands, especially the local residents.

For as long as the township has been developed, the river has been flooded by overflowing sewage drains, pumping this river and wildlife sanctuary full of E-coli amongst other bacteria.  E-coli is a bacterium that can inhabit both human and animal intestines.  The bacterium can produce a variety of toxins that can have a wide range of effects.  Symptoms caused may include mild to chronic Diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever.  Other symptoms may include renal failure, pancreatitis, and neurological symptoms including drowsiness, seizures and a coma could occur. (Shanson, 1999)

When Water Rhapsody, who supplies water conservation systems, collected a sample of water from the river in 2010, it contained nine hundred million e-coli bacteria per 100ml of water. Acceptable standards, there are an average of two hundred bacteria per 100ml. This proves the severe the conditions of the water.  (Bardouleau, 2010)

Reference: Unknown. (2010). Flushing E-coli into Hout Bay's Disa River .Available: http://www.capewatersolutions.co.za/2010/01/16/flushing-e-coli-into-hout-bay’s-disa-river/. Last accessed 20/04/2012.

As well as e-coli, the river is severely affected by “grey water” otherwise known as wash water.  Wash water includes bath, dish and laundry water, which contains phosphates found in blue and green algae growth.  .  (Bardouleau, 2010) When this particular algae dies, a substance much like cyanide is released which is highly toxic.  As a result of these toxins, which absorb oxygen upon decay, all other life within the water is killed.  (Bardouleau, 2010)

As well as the river being extremely dangerous, people are using the reservoir that supplies water to the residents of Hout Bay as an open lavatory without access to sanitation. (Gosling 2006)

The river transports the water through the residents, across the well-known beach and into the bay.  The e-coli and algae organisms are then absorbed by animals within the sea and are having a major effect on these animals and related ecosystems, particularly the rock lobster which would pose as a health hazard for any human being consuming these lobsters. (Gosling, 2006)

Currently, there are only 400 toilets amongst the 25000 residents living in shacks in Imizamo Yethu. (Froestad, 2006) When residents were questioned about the current situation of sanitation facilities, Aida Hokonya, a spokesperson on behalf of Imizamo Yethu residents, told how many people did their excrement in buckets and disposed of their waste by filling plastic packets and throwing them in surrounding drains or on their roofs.  Aida continued to reveal that many of the residents “don’t care about the environment” and that they were forced to do this due to the lack of sanitation facilities.

As a result, drains become blocked and the few sewage systems present in the settlement become blocked and burst amongst the houses. The repercussions of the waste, is not only extremely detrimental to the residents health, but furthermore has a major impact on the environment as the waste is then carried into the DIsa River and surrounding areas and into the sea.

Tension arises between the established more privileged homes of Hout Bay residents and the inhabitants of Imizamo Yethu, as Hout Bay residents blame the residents of the settlement for the severe pollution created in and around Hout Bay.  Not only is this pollution contributing towards major health and environment factors, but largely impacts the increase in crime as a result of this poverty stricken community. Property valuations are negatively impacted as well as a having a detrimental affect on the visual aesthetics of Hout Bay.