‘Young people must find creative ways of celebrating Spring Day without wasting water or harming others’

The Department of Water and Sanitation in South Africa has urged citizens to reconsider their water usage during celebrations. This comes after reports of excessive water consumption and mistreatment of individuals during Spring Day festivities on September 1st. Wisane Mavasa, a spokesperson for the department, emphasized that these events should not lead to the wastage of water or compromise the dignity and safety of individuals.

Mavasa noted that Spring Day celebrations had drawn young people together to welcome the new season, but stressed that such gatherings should not compromise precious water resources or violate anyone's rights. She warned that the country's ongoing water challenges necessitated a shift in how water is valued and used. The department had observed a significant amount of water being used during the celebrations and expressed concern about this trend given the ongoing water scarcity issues in the nation.

Furthermore, the DWS raised concerns about the potential impact of El Niño conditions on the country's water supply. Mavasa cautioned that hotter temperatures and drier conditions could exacerbate water shortages, making responsible water use even more crucial. She highlighted incidents where people were reportedly humiliated or intimidated during Spring Day activities, emphasizing that no celebration should serve as a justification for violating another person's rights.

The department called on communities to adopt more creative and enjoyable ways of celebrating Spring Day without wasting water or causing harm to others. Mavasa urged young people and communities to embrace everyday water-saving habits as a routine behavior rather than a reactive measure. She stressed that government initiatives and infrastructure could not single-handedly secure South Africa's water future if water continued to be needlessly wasted.