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Residents of South Africa are facing rising inflation, increased food prices, and soaring electricity tariffs, yet the issue of the country's water crisis remains underestimated.
South Africa ranks 33rd globally in terms of aridity. The Food Indaba 2026 conference, themed 'Water and Food Systems,' was held this week. During this event, experts, scientists, and stakeholders from various sectors discussed ways to prevent the depletion of the country's water resources.
Deshni Pillay, Head of the Nature, Climate, and Energy Portfolio at the UN Development Programme in South Africa, noted that the water crisis has gone beyond simple water scarcity and has begun affecting the cost of food on tables. Pillay recalled the 'Day Zero' situation in Cape Town in 2018, when the threat of the water supply running out was real.
She explained that people tend to think a water crisis only begins when the water stops flowing, whereas in reality, it starts with rising food prices. Although the consequences of water bankruptcy may be unnoticed now, farmers are the first to feel the difficulties when they have to drill deeper wells, pumps require more effort, and yields decrease due to limited water access.
Pillay emphasized that water bankruptcy does not develop instantaneously. Similar to financial bankruptcy, it begins subtly: small deficits accumulate, natural resources are depleted, warning signs are ignored, and suddenly the entire system fails. The most dangerous aspect is that most people do not realize the approaching catastrophe until the very last moment.
The first signs of water bankruptcy are often not empty reservoirs, but an expensive loaf of bread, reduced harvests, factory closures, or a monthly decrease in a family's grocery basket. Pillay explained that the link between these phenomena is often not established because water is an invisible component of everything, even though every meal starts with it.
When water reserves decline, crop yields fall, food prices rise, farmers' incomes decrease, agricultural jobs disappear, nutrition worsens, and poverty and inequality deepen. Pillay cited the example of Cape Town, stating that food security is impossible without water security. This lesson is now manifesting across South Africa, including water supply disruptions in Gauteng, infrastructure problems in eThekwini, and recurring droughts in several provinces, which degrades the ecological state of critical catchment areas.
She concluded that South Africa's water challenge is not just a climate change issue, but also an infrastructural, ecological, managerial, and developmental one. Water bankruptcy threatens the future prosperity of the nation, affecting not only households and farms.
Pillay noted that despite the grim picture, there is hope. Various steps are being taken across South Africa: communities are restoring traditional methods, catchment areas are being rehabilitated, nature-based approaches are being implemented, and investments in climate resilience are being made. She stressed that healthy ecosystems are vital ecological infrastructure requiring more sustainable management.
The expert highlighted the importance of collaboration with communities involved in water conservation. Pillay stated that the future is shaped upstream, and efforts should be directed there. She clarified that the history of water bankruptcy is less about scarcity and more about the choices and decisions made by policymakers regarding the management of the future, food production, and investment in the economy.
Pillay added that South Africa is not starting from scratch: farmers nationwide are adopting sustainable practices, scientists are improving forecasting and developing early warning systems, and municipalities are beginning to explore new approaches to water scarcity. Businesses are investing in innovation, but most importantly, citizens are demanding change. Solutions exist, and everyone needs to unite to ensure decision-makers have the necessary knowledge to achieve water and food security.
Leonardo Manus, Executive Director of Water and Sanitation for the City of Cape Town, stated that the threat of a 'Day Zero' has not disappeared, although it has been pushed into the future, and emphasized the need to continue sustainable water resource conservation.
Manus delivered the second keynote speech on the second day of the WISA 2026 Biennial Conference and Exhibition. The theme of his presentation was 'From Crisis to Sustainability: Securing the Future of South Africa's Water Supply and Sanitation Systems.' The conference, organized by the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) until Friday, gathered about 2000 participants from the water sector under the common motto 'Rethinking Amanzi – Securing Our Future.'
During his address, Manus noted that South Africa is a water-scarce country and insisted that the population must become more sensitive to water resources. He also highlighted that sewage should be viewed as an integral part of the future water strategy.
He recalled that the term 'Day Zero' referred to a three-year drought period experienced by the province, which led to water crises in 2017 and 2018. 'Day Zero' signified the point when most taps in Cape Town would be shut off, and residents would have to queue at 200 collection points to receive their allocated 25 liters per day.
Manus explained that the sewerage system must handle three elements: 'urine, feces, and paper.' He stressed that the systems are not designed to process such a large amount of rags entering the system. These rags, often used by young women due to lack of access to sanitary products, clog sieves, leading to pump failure or damage to treatment facilities.
He noted that despite the root causes of the problem not being eliminated, he is grateful to colleagues, scientists, and civil organizations for their joint efforts in finding solutions. Manus called on all municipalities and stakeholders to adopt a systemic approach to finding sustainable solutions and recommended developing investment plans for governments, companies, and municipalities.
Manus also mentioned that crime poses a threat to staff working in areas requiring sewage system cleaning, and reported an increase in the budget by 40 million rand to ensure law enforcement support. Furthermore, he noted that heavy rainfall in Cape Town this winter (in May) could have resulted in a completely different situation regarding the city's water levels.
The international conference WISA 2026 will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from July 22 to 24, 2026. The event will bring together delegates from the water sector under the theme 'Rethinking Amanzi – Securing Our Future.'
Against the backdrop of water supply infrastructure, service provision, and long-term water security remaining priorities in South Africa's national agenda, the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) is organizing a three-day conference that will attract over 2000 specialists.
The conference follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's launch of several water supply programs and announcements of new commitments in water infrastructure, jointly with Vice President Paul Mashatile. Ramaphosa pledged R156 billion for water supply and sanitation infrastructure over the next three years. He also warned that municipalities and officials who fail to properly manage water services could face legal consequences, as the government intensifies efforts to combat the escalating water crisis in South Africa.
Ramaphosa noted that these investments are part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing water accessibility in underserved communities and addressing water insecurity. The conference program will begin on Wednesday, July 22, with an opening address by Ian Palmer, Chairman of the WISA Organizing Committee, followed by a presentation from Dr. Lester Goldman, CEO of WISA, and an official opening by Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina.
Deputy Ministers David Makhubo and Dr. Jack Bloom, as well as Dr. Shaun Phillips, CEO of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), will also be present. A keynote speech will be delivered by the President of the Federation of African Engineering Organizations (FAEO), Refilwe Buthelezi (Pr. Eng), who will call on water resource experts to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution in water use, focusing on rethinking governance, technology, and investment in Africa's water future.
The technical program includes over 80 sessions across specialized tracks, workshops, and high-level meetings. Topics under discussion cover microplastics, groundwater sustainability and managed aquifer recharge, including the Cape Flats aquifer, as well as climate resilience, droughts, floods, alternative water supply services, and water infrastructure upgrades.
Furthermore, the conference has scheduled a high-level panel discussion on water sector financing, meetings with the Department of Water and Sanitation, consultative sessions related to the UN Water Conference in 2026, and sessions from the Commission for Water Research, focused on South Africa's agenda for water research and innovation.
Goldman emphasized that the water sector challenges in South Africa cannot be solved by one organization alone. He stated that as pressure on water resources grows, collaboration between different disciplines and institutions becomes critically important. WISA 2026 provides a valuable opportunity for the sector to exchange experiences, showcase innovations, and find practical ways to improve water security and service delivery. Goldman added that the necessary knowledge, innovation, and commitment to improving South Africa's water future already exist within the sector, and the collective task is to accelerate the implementation of good ideas to achieve tangible results.
Ian Palmer noted that in these complex times, countries are restructuring, and international cooperation organizations are losing legitimacy amid climate instability. There is economic, social, and political uncertainty at the national level, which affects the capacity of key state institutions in the water sector, including local authorities. In Palmer's view, water professionals need to act, and holding meetings to present new ideas and discuss sector challenges is necessary. He concluded that WISA 2026 serves as an important platform for such interactions, being a flagship event for the South African water community and international water resource specialists interested in the region.
