The article discusses Rehad Desai’s documentary “Capturing Water,” which explores South Africa’s water crisis exacerbated by climate change and government mismanagement. It highlights the urgent need for local solutions and grassroots activism to address water inequities in Cape Town and beyond, while linking these issues to global water security challenges. The film aims to inspire action, screening at the upcoming Joburg Film Festival.
In early 2018, the Western Cape region of South Africa faced a devastating drought, leading to concerns over “Day Zero,” the moment when municipal water supply would be depleted. This crisis was narrowly avoided; however, filmmaker Rehad Desai, in his new documentary “Capturing Water,” emphasizes that this water crisis reveals a more urgent, deeper issue due to climate change threatening vast regions across the continent.
Desai highlights the projected water stress facing 250 million individuals in urban areas by 2030, exacerbated by rising temperatures and prolonged drought conditions. The Western Cape’s predicament was years in the making, fueled by climate-related factors and compounded by government mismanagement, despite its reputation as a relatively well-functioning municipality.
The film illustrates the severe environmental consequences of the ongoing crisis, notably the direct discharge of inadequately treated sewage into the ocean, requiring 55 million liters of freshwater daily. Nationwide, about 3.5 million South African households lack access to clean water, with statistics revealing that 35% of available clean water is lost due to leaking infrastructure.
Desai points out the critical financial gaps in municipalities that hinder their ability to address the water issue, further intensified by an ongoing reduction in government service budgets. Compounding the challenge, just 13% of Cape Town’s populace consumes an overwhelming 51% of the available water amid increasing household demand and tourism-driven development.
With ongoing water rationing, the burden disproportionately affects the underprivileged, exposing stark inequities in water distribution. Desai raises pressing questions regarding equitable water distribution while acknowledging that “Capturing Water” does not provide definitive answers but emphasizes the importance of local solutions.
Grassroots efforts showcased in the documentary include activism against restrictive water devices, legal actions aimed at protecting vital aquifers, and initiatives to redirect sewage into wetlands that support local ecosystems. The documentary also highlights global climate challenges, such as the purchase of farmland by foreign corporations threatening domestic water sources in places like California.
Desai draws attention to the commodification of water, warning that scarcity pushes the price further from the reach of impoverished populations. Following his acclaimed films, he intends to release “Capturing Water” widely to foster awareness and inspire activism, asserting that emotional engagement through film is vital for sparking societal change. The Joburg Film Festival runs from March 11 to 16, showcasing this documentary and its urgent message.
In conclusion, Rehad Desai’s “Capturing Water” poignantly addresses the escalating water crisis in South Africa, exacerbated by climate change and mismanagement. The documentary advocates for local solutions and grassroots activism as pathways to address water scarcity, while underscoring the global implications of financial speculation on water as a commodity. Through emotional storytelling, the film aims to inspire action and raise awareness about the necessity of equitable water distribution for all communities.
Original Source: variety.com
