OPINION PIECE : Stay safe at places of water during the summer season.

The month of September is now upon us, which means that summer is just around the corner in South Africa. Most people will experience scorching hot conditions in various parts of the country and will go to water resources like rivers, lakes, and dams to cool off.

The swimming pools and the country’s beaches will also be crowded in different parts of the country as recreational enthusiasts will start enjoying water during these hot weather conditions.

The Department of Water and Sanitation would however issue a warning to the public to be cautious during hot seasons when they are around water resources. Many people have drowned during these recreational activities, be it at the swimming pools or at the rivers.

Beach rules and regulations should be always adhered to whether on the sand or in the water. People are reminded to swim only in safe and supervised areas. Keeping an eye on children is very crucial as their small minds cannot comprehend the force of water. Always show them the boundaries of where they can go.

Summer season is also associated with rainfalls. Religious or ritual activities at the rivers should be avoided during heavy rainfalls which can result in flash floods. We have witnessed on numerous occasions how people have perished during river baptism and cleansing rituals.

People should not underestimate the force of water. While people have the right to exercise rituals such as river baptism, high levels of responsibility are required from them.

Water has a force that is extraordinary and can cause havoc to many people. We have seen during the KwaZulu-Natal floods in April 2022 how houses were destroyed, and different infrastructures damaged. More than four-hundred people sadly perished during the ordeal.

There is also a high demand of water during hot weather conditions, but our efforts to save water need to double. This is mainly because temperatures will begin to rise, putting a strain on the already declining dam levels as experienced in most parts of the country.  As the temperatures rise, water will evaporate in the country’s reservoirs. This is evident in the hydrological report released by Department to monitor the state of the country’s dam levels on a weekly basis.

Let us, therefore, use water sparingly during these hot weather conditions and be extra cautious as we socialise and cool off at the country’s water resources. Remember water is life, but it can also end a life if a person is not taking necessary precautions when swimming or is socialising at places of water.

By: Nthabiseng Dhlamini, Communicator at the National Dept. of Water & Sanitation