“Capturing Water” by Rehad Desai highlights South Africa’s urgent water crisis, exacerbated by climate change and governmental failings. The documentary addresses the inequities of water distribution and showcases grassroots activism as a potential path forward. With an emphasis on the need for emotional engagement in social change, it serves as a call to action for sustainable water solutions.
In early 2018, South Africa’s Western Cape faced a severe drought, prompting fears of “Day Zero,” when the municipal water supply would be depleted. Filmmaker Rehad Desai’s new documentary “Capturing Water,” featured at the Joburg Film Festival, emphasizes that this crisis is part of a larger, escalating threat due to climate change affecting millions across Africa.
Desai warns that by 2030, about 250 million people in urban areas may face water stress, exacerbated by rising temperatures and prolonged drought. The water crisis that Cape Town experienced from 2015 to 2020 was not solely caused by climatic changes but also by governmental neglect and mismanagement, highlighting flaws in municipal operations.
The film underscores the dire consequences of poor water management in the region, noting that untreated sewage is often dumped into the ocean, which requires significant freshwater for disposal. Nationally, 3.5 million households lack access to clean water, and a significant 35% of available clean water is lost through leaks. Desai points to insufficient funding and resources of municipalities as a barrier to solving these issues.
Additionally, wealth disparity in water usage is stark, with 13% of Cape Town’s population consuming over half of the city’s water supply. Rapid development and increased tourism strain resources, highlighting the growing inequities in water distribution, particularly affecting impoverished communities.
“Capturing Water” poses essential questions regarding equitable distribution of water and advocates for local solutions to the crisis, showcasing grassroots efforts against water commercialization and infrastructure neglect. The documentary highlights broader global water security issues, indicating that the commodification of water risks accessibility for the poorest populations.
Desai aims for a broad release of “Capturing Water” across South Africa and beyond, seeking to inspire activism and awareness through film. He believes that generating emotional engagement is crucial for effecting change and building a critical mass for community activism. The Joburg Film Festival runs from March 11 – 16, presenting an opportunity for dialogue around these pressing issues.
“Capturing Water” reveals the complexities of water management in South Africa amidst climate change, emphasizing both grassroots activism and the inequitable distribution of resources. As the documentary unfolds, it raises critical questions about sustainable water solutions and highlights international parallels in water scarcity. Desai’s hope for inspiring activism through film presents a call to action, stressing the need for emotional engagement in catalyzing social change.
Original Source: variety.com
