UNICEF WATER POLLUTION PRINT ADVERTISEMENT

Reference: Kaehler, M, Diestel, T and Graalfs, A. (2007) Dirty Bomb [Print Advertisement] At: Ads of the World. Available: http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/unicef_dirty_bomb?size=_original. (Accessed 18/04/2012)

CARTE BLANCHE CASE STUDY

In 2010, Carte Blanche, a local investigative journalism programme conducted a case study on South Africa’s Rivers which are under major threat as a result of disintegrating sewage works, increasing informal settlements in their catchment areas and unregulated commercial effluent. (Bingwa, 2010)

The case study looked at how the pollution was affecting people’s health as well as having an impact on water sports along the coast. (Bingwa, 2010)

Carte Blanche investigated a high-profile case from Kwazulu-Natal, where RW Johnson, an established author and historian, nearly died after swimming in the Mpenjati Nature Reserve Lagoon. (Bingwa, 2010)

RW Johnson recounted how he had initially stubbed his toe and had contracted ‘necrotizing fasciitis’, a flesh-eating organism that breeds in sewage and entered his blood stream.  His stubbed toe, manifested from a cut, to an infected wound, to fevers and fainting, and eventually to hospital where his leg was amputated above the knee.  RW Johnson remained unconscious for a month and there was a slim chance of him surviving as 89% of people who contract ‘necrotizing fasciitis’ die. (Bingwa, 2010)

South Africa has 27 “Blue Flag” beaches. Blue Flag is a worldwide non- government, non-profit voluntary organization who works towards sustainable development of beaches with strict criteria involving water quality. This is a major draw card for tourism in our country.

On the contrary, some highly polluted beaches, run by numerous municipalities along the coast of South Africa are in a state of despair. Of Cape Town’s 27 rivers flowing into the coastline, only one of them was 100% safe for recreational use.  A report conducted by the City of Cape Town revealed that the coastal water quality is extremely poor and stands to be a major threat for the citizens as well as the environment. (Bingwa, 2010)

Furthermore, Dr Justin O’Rian, an environmental officer for the Hout Bay Residents Association revealed the detrimental affects the Imizamo Yethu Township has on the river.  He reveals how densely populated the squatter camp is, with insufficient sanitation, and effluent draining off the township and into their river and onto the very popular local Hout Bay beach.  Dr Jo Barnes an Epidemiologist relates the Disa River to that of an “open sewer” after conducting tests. Dr O’Rian’s child spent numerous days on a drip after being in contact with her soiled shoes, which were contaminated.  (Bingwa, 2010)

Reference: Marx, R. (2010). Hout Bay water quality: good news and bad news.Available: http://www.houtbay.org.za/Newsletters/201011_HoutAbout.htm. Last accessed 20/04/2012.

Many residents are outraged by the current situation, which at times has been described as a pandemic.  Dr O’Rian further argues that authorities are aware how hard it is to prove that various illnesses are caught from that specific area, which frustrates residents.

Other problems included the following:  narrow sewage pipes, inadequate funding, blocked drains, lack of maintenance, lack of infrastructure, loss of experienced engineers, overwhelming quantity of sewage, extensive smells as well as insufficient resources.

Jo Barnes recalls a local politician exclaiming “there are no votes in sewage”. Therefore, admitting that political power will only put in effort when there is a political benefit. (Bingwa, 2010)

A follow up on the Carte Blanche investigation was aired in November 2010.  Carte Blanche felt there had been a dramatic improvement with the problem.  The issue was deemed resolved through consistent maintenance, improved equipment, and constant communication amongst municipality and residents.  Scientific studies are being conducted and authorities are admitting to the problem and new pollution control officers have been appointed issuing pollution fines ranging between R1 000 and R800 000, holding culprits of the pollution responsible. (Bingwa, 2010)

MEDIA CONSTRUCTIONISM

In modern times, what we have come to know and understand about the environment is as a result of the media. (Hansen, 2010)  Our perceptions of what we know are morphed through multiple media sources both consciously and sub consciously. (Hansen, 2010).

Communication is key in how we are informed about certain environmental issues, the way in which we address these issues, and how we plan on resolving them. (Hansen, 2010)

Whilst it may be unclear to what extent the media is constructed, there are a variety of factors influencing our perception, including economic factors, political factors, practices of journalism and a variety of news practices. (Hansen, 2010)

There is however, nothing natural about the way in which we come to learn about issues in the environment.  The media is socially constructed and lends itself back to power.  Issues tend to fade in and out of the public focus and need either a political or social catalyst to bring about attention. (Hansen, 2010)

Construction of the media is evident in the Carte Blanche investigation as many of us were informed by the Carte Blanche program, the severity that South Africa and in particular Imizamo Yethu is experiencing. If it weren’t for this documentary, we would be none the wiser that our country was experiencing such problems.

In part 2 of the Carte Blanche Investigation, the analysis is very misleading as it is implied that the issue has been resolved. While some improvements around South Africa have been made, including employing new pollution control officers and improving our sewage pumps, these are short term solutions and are reactive, as they haven’t perhaps considered the future. Whilst the improvements have made a difference for the present, there is no prevention of the situation worsening over time. What is required is a pro-active strategy.

Whilst it may benefit making these improvements, it hasn’t resolved the crux of the matter, which is that there is still no adequate sanitation or improvements within the informal settlements, which is where the source of the problem lies.

Within the documentary, there are a variety of claim-makers.  Justin O’Rian, a Hout Bay resident and member of the local environmental committee, claims that the issues were resolved through maintenance and by improvement of sewage materials.

Local council’s member Telkot Passent, is the gentleman who speaks of the many improvements made to the equipment and who runs the system.

Dr Jo Barnes, a Epidemiologist, claims a thorough scientific study is being carried out and that there has been an improvement with the e-coli count in the water.

Brett Keyser, part of the local Stellenbosch community speaks about general proactive improvements that are necessary such as appointing additional staff.

Senior pollution control inspector, Johan Martinus claims to test the water and if there is a high level of pollution, he traces the people responsible and issues fines.

All the claim makers speak of the dramatic improvement and resolution in Part 2 of the documentary and whilst there may be improvement elsewhere, degradation continues in Hout Bay.  Claim-makers tasks are to command attention by claiming legitimacy and evoking action. All of the above claim makers make their argument convincing and support their argument by facts, however these facts do not support a sustainable approach.

A variety of framing devices have been used through out the documentary in order to convince the viewer and develop a strong argument.  In particular, a strong emphasis was placed on visual references.  In part 1 of the investigation countless images of poverty, sewage and pollution are shown, however in part 2, many clean, functioning and pollution free images are shown. There is a major contrast between part 1 of the investigation when the crisis is revealed and part 2 when the pandemic is considered resolved. 

PERSONAL ARGUMENT

It was reported that the total Hout Bay residents escalated from 18 500 inhabitants in 2004 to a staggering estimated 45 000 today. This tells us that it is the Imizamo Yethu settlement continues to increase exponentially in size.

Ratepayers have increased at a much slower pace suggesting that Imizamo Yethu settlement is increasing exponentially. The increased population pressure and the need for residential land deplete natural resources. This intensification of finite resources, results in a larger gap between the wealthy and the poor. This depletion of resources has a major affect on the environment and problems that arise include:  destruction of trees, danger of soil erosion, landslides, lack of water, and danger to humans, flora and fauna.

The continued population growth contributes to the economic recession as inhabitants cannot contribute into normal society in terms of rates and taxes, and there is a continual reliance on grants and social handouts. The residents are economically destitute. This becomes a self-compounding problem for both ends of society as the gap is widened between the rich and poor further. 

Exacerbating this situation, the economical recession has caused more jobs to be lost. Up to 50% of the population was recorded as living below the poverty line.

As a result of the unemployment, the economy doesn’t grow and the government and local municipality are expected to provide and fund the residents.  However, how long can the municipality be expected to fund?

There is also the emotional factor that has contributed to the problem. Our history and the legacy of apartheid have resulted in racial segregation and income inequity, which is still evident today.

Tension within the immediate society of Hout Bay between the established white area and the informal settlements has aroused conflict, as the privileged are expected or encouraged to support the less fortunate. The whites believe the township destroys the environment and the township feels they deserve better facilities.

At present, there has been a major impact on the environment.  The primary issues include the exploiting of resources in order to survive.  There is an increased demand for the world’s resources, yet the supply is decreasing at a rate faster than it can be replaced. (Fergus and Rowney, 2005)

The second primary impact on the environment is the detrimental affects of e-coli and bacterium living in the water.  E-coli can be extremely fatal to humans as well as animals and the surrounding environment.  The bacterium kills off many flora and fauna and has a major impact on surrounding eco-systems.

The secondary affects of the water pollution have an impact on tourism as the visual aesthetics of the environment are ruined.

If the problem amongst Imizamo Yethu and more specifically the Disa River are not resolved, we may face a major crisis down the line. Whilst media has portrayed that there is a sufficient improvement around South Africa, those are short-term solutions, and are unlikely to be sustained over a prolonged period.

CONCLUSION

In my opinion, there is no major improvement or resolution with the Imizamo Yethu water pollution.  Whilst there may be short-term improvements, these are not necessarily sustainable and do not provide prevention of damage in the future.  All improvements thus far have been reactive as opposed to pro –active and do not resolve the source of the problem. As a result of poverty there is insufficient sanitation facilities for the growing number of residents. Until this is resolved, the DIsa River will continue to be polluted. 

REFERENCES

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Bingwa, B. (2010). E-coli. Available: http://beta.mnet.co.za/carteblanche/Article.aspx?Id=3954. Last accessed 18 April 2012.

Fergus, A.H.t and Rowney, J.I.A.(2005). Sustainable Development:Lost Meaning and Opportunity? Journal of Business Ethics. Vol 60 no.1 pp 17-27

Froestad,J.(2005). Environmental Health Problems in Hout Bay:The Challenge of Generalizing Trust in South Africa, Journal of South African Studies, 31:2, 333-356

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Harte, Wendy, Hastings, Peter A., & Childs, Iraphne R. (2006) Community politics: A factor eroding hazard resilience in a disadvantaged community, Imizamo Yethu, South Africa. In Social Change in the 21st Century Conference 2006, 27 October 2006, Carseldine, Brisbane.

Hansen, A. (2010). Communication and the construction of environmental issues. In: Hansen A Environment, Media and Communication. New York: Routledge. 15-102.

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Hushka, D. and Mau,S. (2006) Social anomie and racial segregation in South Africa. Social Indicators Research.Vol. 76,No.3 pp. 467-498

Shah, A. (2010). Water and Development. Available: http://www.globalissues.org/article/601. Last accessed 18 Pril 2012.

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Wisner, B. (1995). The Reconstruction of Environmental Rights in Urban South Africa.Human Ecology. Vol 23 no 2. Pp 259-284

 Unknown. (1965). About UNICEF: Who we are. Available: http://www.unicef.org/about/who/index_introduction.html. Last accessed 17 April 2012.