‘Capturing Water’: A Documentary on South Africa’s Water Crisis

The documentary “Capturing Water” highlights South Africa’s struggle with water scarcity amid climate change, focusing on Cape Town’s near “Day Zero” scenario in 2018. Filmmaker Rehad Desai warns that by 2030, 250 million Africans could face water stress, exacerbated by rising temperatures. The film underscores the urgent need for grassroots action to address this crisis before it becomes unmanageable.

In early 2018, South Africa’s Western Cape faced a significant drought that threatened its water supply, prompting residents of Cape Town to prepare for a dire scenario known as “Day Zero,” when municipal water would run out completely. Although this crisis was narrowly avoided, filmmaker Rehad Desai’s documentary “Capturing Water,” which is being screened at the Joburg Film Festival, highlights that this incident is merely a warning of a much larger problem.

Desai emphasizes the gravity of the situation in Africa, noting that by 2030, approximately 250 million individuals will experience water stress, predominantly in urban settings. “The temperatures are just increasing exponentially. We’re a dry continent. It’s becoming drier because of climate change,” he remarks, underlining the urgent need for action as South Africa grapples with these challenges.

The documentary “Capturing Water” serves as a vital reminder of the challenges posed by climate change to South Africa’s water resources. As emphasized by Rehad Desai, the looming water crisis extends beyond Cape Town and signals a severe threat to millions across the continent. Immediate efforts are necessary to address the growing water stress in urban areas before it escalates into a full-scale emergency.

Original Source: www.imdb.com