Archbishop in water plea

THE Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, made an impassioned plea for the proper management and preservation of water yesterday.

Speaking at the Water Justice conference in Cape Town, streamed live to other parts of the world, including New York, London and Melbourne, the Archbishop called on the City of Cape Town to protect the Cape Flats aquifer and the Phillipi Horticultural area.

“Many of us might not realise that beneath our city is a Cape Flats aquifer – a hidden treasure that holds vast stores of water.

“Studies have shown that it has the potential to supply two-thirds of the Mother City’s water needs, providing 49 millions litres of water a day. But it’s under threat and as citizens we must call on City officials who are stewards of our resources to preserve this pearl,” Makgoba said.

With the City’s dam levels now at 28%, Makgoba called on many to end the indifference to the importance of water and the shortage crisis now faced.

“We have lived our lives by the assumption that what is good for us will be good for the world. We now need to change that into what is good for the world will be good for us, “Makgoba added.

Studies have shown that about a third of the country’s population does not have access to clean drinking water, posing a health threat.

Makgoba said a balance between the competing demands on scarce water resources needed to be found.

“Justice and water cannot be separated,” he said.

He urged citizens to find ways to committing to address issues that put sources of water – including rivers, oceans and aquifers – under threat.

“Rivers are constantly polluted through activities of big businesses. Water is sacred,” Makgoba said.