360° Analysis

Place of Sweet Waters

By
Cape Town

© Shutterstock

May 21, 2016 10:38 EDT
Print

How do you bring a water source back to life?

We have all heard the terms genocide, infanticide, regicide. But now we live in a new reality where hydrocide—water scarcity as a result of social misuse of water resources—is a term to remember.

Before Cape Town was settled by Europeans, the indigenous people called it Camissa—Place of Sweet Waters—because of its abundant springs. The water from Table Mountain sustained populations for centuries. Now, these springs have become sources of pollution and disease rather than life.

Watch this short film by award-winning filmmaker Sven Harding about reclaiming the water for the local communities.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

Photo Credit: Dhoxax / Shutterstock.com 

We bring you perspectives from around the world. Help us to inform and educate. Your donation is tax-deductible. Join over 400 people to become a donor or you could choose to be a sponsor.

Support Fair Observer

We rely on your support for our independence, diversity and quality.

For more than 10 years, Fair Observer has been free, fair and independent. No billionaire owns us, no advertisers control us. We are a reader-supported nonprofit. Unlike many other publications, we keep our content free for readers regardless of where they live or whether they can afford to pay. We have no paywalls and no ads.

In the post-truth era of fake news, echo chambers and filter bubbles, we publish a plurality of perspectives from around the world. Anyone can publish with us, but everyone goes through a rigorous editorial process. So, you get fact-checked, well-reasoned content instead of noise.

We publish 2,500+ voices from 90+ countries. We also conduct education and training programs on subjects ranging from digital media and journalism to writing and critical thinking. This doesn’t come cheap. Servers, editors, trainers and web developers cost money.
Please consider supporting us on a regular basis as a recurring donor or a sustaining member.

Will you support FO’s journalism?

We rely on your support for our independence, diversity and quality.

Donation Cycle

Donation Amount

The IRS recognizes Fair Observer as a section 501(c)(3) registered public charity (EIN: 46-4070943), enabling you to claim a tax deduction.

Make Sense of the World

Unique Insights from 2,500+ Contributors in 90+ Countries

Support Fair Observer

Support Fair Observer by becoming a sustaining member

Become a Member