EDITOR’S NOTE

AS THE spectre of Day Zero looms large over Cape Town, residents of Durban and other areas around the country must be wondering how far – or how close – they are to a similar catastrophe.

Our team of reporters posed this question to experts and officials. One of them argues that the Cape drought has actually done us all a lot of good (see page 8).

To help do our bit this week we launch our SAVEKZN campaign. We profile a young man who’s among those helping to check and maintain the health of our rivers (page 11).

Ayanda Lipheyana is this week’s hero in our campaign to celebrate and encourage those playing a role in the protection of our environment and in sustainable development. Big up to Ayanda. (thumbs up emoticon) With more young people like him, perhaps KZN will never experience Day Zero.

Anyone who knows of a potential SAVEKZN hero or heroine should please get in touch with us.

Last month, South Africa assumed the chairmanship of the Brics forum as the bloc enters its second “golden decade”. President Jacob Zuma elaborates on page 12.

Donald Trump once described Vladimir Putin as “very smart” and some immediately spoke of a bromance. What’s happening between Moscow and Washington now? See page 18. The article I found more interesting on that page is the one about Day Zero. Did DA leader Mmusi Maimane cross the line by swooping over local leaders and officials and taking control of the matter?

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu’s adviser, Thami ka Plaatje, writes about the ANC’S new and old – and colourful – SGS (page 20).

And what do you make of Multichoice’s decision to boot controversial news channel ANN7 out of its Dstv bouquet (see page 21)?

Is it a sign of the changing times or abuse of power?