Founded in 1886, Johannesburg is one of the world’s youngest major cities. The metropole grew up fast, however, quickly taking on enormous proportions – both in size and impact. Expanding from a tented camp, to a town of tin shanties, it soon morphed into a city of modern skyscrapers. Today is the commercial, industrial and financial hub of South Africa. …
The promise and peril of stormwater management in Durban
Durban’s location is at once a blessing and a curse. While the city hugs world renowned beaches, it is also placed squarely in the way of rainwater on the way there. As for any city, the route and impact of stormwater in Durban depends very much on where it is placed. Welcome to the eThekwini municipality The eThekwini Municipality, that …
Lessons from Cape Town’s Day Zero
Cape Town made international headlines in 2018 when the mayor announced it could soon run out of enough water. That day, “Day Zero” never arrived, but South Africa’s water crisis still paints a bleak future. Gareth Morgan, the City of Cape Town’s Director for Resilience, shared the lessons Cape Town learned from Day Zero, and how they are building a …
Durban plans to keep it informal
Embracing informal settlements and nature are part of the dramatic transformation that could be part of Durban’s development plans.
How this city gets the best tap water in the world
Hygge. It souns something like hoo-gha, and describes a feeling of cozy contentment by enjoying the simple things in life. It’s big here in Denmark, and I understand why. Simple things here are good; better than good even. Take the tap water as example. In Danish capital Copenhagen, the tap water is said to be the best in the world. …
We were only allowed one bucket a day
“It was very difficult for me. Where we stay, we were allowed one bucket of water a day. The tap was only open from around 4 to 4:30 each morning. So, I had 10 litres of water each day for me and my kid. We are four people in our house that could each get one bucket of water. Others …
A drought changes your relationship with water
“Water is my life. It’s what I do on a daily basis. Working with water is about the importance of protecting it, and how we take this generation forward to the next. I have been living in Cape Town since 1981, with a five year break. Once restrictions came we’d been living water-frugally already. We were not heavy users, but …
Sometimes you have to go through a crisis
“I am from Zimbabwe, but I left because of the economic situation. I came to Cape Town for greener pastures. I’ve been here for eight years, and stay in an apartment in a block of flats in Goodwood with my wife and two children. Sometimes you have to go through a crisis to learn. The drought taught us a lot. …
I used to judge people that did not flush the toilet
“I used to judge people if they did not flush the toilet, now I judge them if they flush after only one pee. I think it’s crazy how much water we flush down the toilet. I’ve been staying in Cape Town since 2016. I moved here for work. When we stared Day Zero in the face, I had to consider …