South Africa’s Water Predicament

South Africa’s Water Predicament PDF

Author: Anja du Plessis

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-01-13

Total Pages: 189

ISBN-13: 3031240197

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The book provides a critical evaluation of South Africa’s freshwater resources to illustrate the way in which its freshwater resources, water access, services and infrastructure have continued to decline over the past three decades. The continued decline of water governance, management, water service delivery, dilapidated water infrastructure, dysfunctional local governments and overall excessive water degradation is illustrated and emphasized using real-life examples and case studies from various contexts within the country. The main argument of the book is that South Africa’s freshwater resources have declined to such an extent that it can be described as a predicament. Questionable water governance decisions and reactive water management practices have led to no improvement and/or increased degradation of freshwater resources. An overall lack of service delivery exists across the country, in various contexts, leading to further water and social decline. An inter-disciplinary evaluation of South Africa’s current water predicament is provided, major water crises are prioritized, and suitable recommendations are given to transform its predicament into problems which can be addressed. Suitable background information is given to emphasize the necessity of good water governance, management, and service delivery. South Africa’s freshwater resources are evaluated with specific focus on the decline of informed water governance, management, service delivery and water quality. Factors requiring urgent attention are determined and suitable recommendations and/or actions are provided. An evaluation and overall synthesis focused on the transformation of the predicament into problems is provided. Primary water problems are prioritized according to urgency and suitable recommendations are given to assist in transforming the country’s current complex water predicament into “simpler” water problems. Political will, collaboration with researchers, stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and cooperation of civil society is required. South Africa’s already scarce freshwater resources and decaying infrastructure will persist and possibly collapse if no major actions or interventions are implemented.

Hydrology - Current Research and Future Directions

Hydrology - Current Research and Future Directions PDF

Author: Murat Eyvaz

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2024-06-05

Total Pages: 182

ISBN-13: 0854660569

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Hydrology - Current Research and Future Directions provides a comprehensive review of hydrological research using field investigations and integrated modeling in locations ranging from arid areas to regions with abundant water. Thanks to the contributions of expert researchers hailing from Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, India, and other countries, the complex dynamics of the world's water systems are better understood. The book discusses the pressure of climate change on water ecosystems and complex water management in cities. It provides information that can guide both practitioners and policymakers in the sustainable management of water through integrated water management and advanced treatment technologies. With its multidisciplinary research and approaches, this book opens the door not only to existing hydrology science but also to new partnerships in studies on sustainable water management.

South Africa’s water governance hydraulic mission (1912–2008) in a WEF-Nexus context

South Africa’s water governance hydraulic mission (1912–2008) in a WEF-Nexus context PDF

Author: Johann W.N. Tempelhoff

Publisher: AOSIS

Published: 2018-12-01

Total Pages: 658

ISBN-13: 1928396739

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Geologists, physicists and ecologists currently promote the idea of a post-Holocene epoch – the Anthropocene. As a result of constant innovation and modernisation in the fields of engineering, natural science, management studies and environmental studies there has been a growing awareness of the intrinsic interaction between humankind and the environment. Humankind has become part of the environmental dynamics, to the extent that they are literally able to change ecosystems. Nowhere is the impact more evident than in the anthropogenic engagement with the hydrosphere – from the smallest pool of water to the earth’s atmosphere. Comprehensive infrastructure development in water and sanitation, the growing trend to seek additional resources in the form of groundwater, desalinated seawater, and recycled wastewater, as well as special attention being given to capturing and preserving rainwater, bear evidence of a timely response to climate change, population growth and rapid development in many water-stressed regions of the world. The purpose of the book is to provide a historical overview of the manner in which South Africa’s water resources have been governed from a time when the Union of South Africa was formed, in 1910, up to 2008, a time of a growing global awareness of the potential impact that climate change may have on water resources in a key region of southern Africa, notable for increasing levels of aridity and more erratic rainfall patterns. This focus on the history of water affairs in South Africa makes it possible for scholars to comprehend the contemporary transitions made in the country’s water governance system since the establishment in 2014 of the Department of Water and Sanitation. The focus is on the Water–Energy–Food nexus, a strategy which holistically contemplates the governance and use of water from the perspective of the interconnection between water, energy and food as resources.

The Infrastructural South

The Infrastructural South PDF

Author: Jonathan Silver

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2023-10-10

Total Pages: 331

ISBN-13: 0262376733

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An in-depth look at the infrastructural landscape of Africa amid the third wave of urbanization, drawing on case studies from Africa and extending further afield. The Infrastructural South represents a major theoretical contribution to the study of infrastructure’s role in the third wave of urbanization centered on Africa. Based on over a decade of empirical research, Silver’s sweeping examination probes many of contemporary urbanism’s most exciting and pressing issues through the lens of the Global South. Focusing on Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa, Silver’s conceptually innovative chapters explore the way access to energy, water, sanitation, transit, and information technologies shape everyday life as they map the dynamic relations between cities, technology, and the environment. Pushing readers to look at the wider worlds that suffuse urban systems, this theoretical and geographical perspective treats Africa’s rapidly transforming towns and cities as complex sites of disruption, emancipation, and contradiction. In doing so, it shows how the proliferating urbanisms and contested techno-environments arise from shifting priorities in infrastructure planning, politics, and financing gaps. As urban issues become a key twenty-first-century challenge for Africa, Silver offers a comprehensive reworking of our understanding of urbanization. The Infrastructural South rethinks how global scholarship approaches infrastructure, laying pathways for future research at the intersection of technology, environmental urbanism, and urban politics.

Water as an Inescapable Risk

Water as an Inescapable Risk PDF

Author: Anja du Plessis

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-12-15

Total Pages: 299

ISBN-13: 3030031861

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The book presents an interdisciplinary systematic evaluation of increasing water stress and scarcity over the globe and specifically South Africa. South Africa is used as the prime example as the country is experiencing similar water challenges in terms of availability and quality as most regions across the globe. Water availability is predominantly used to illustrate water scarcity however, continued degradation of the world’s freshwater resources, by a multitude of natural and anthropogenic factors, have consequently exacerbated water stress and scarcity due to it being of insufficient quality for various uses. The increase of water scarcity through both natural and anthropogenic factors has in turn led to water being viewed as an increasing risk within all spheres. Water as a source of conflict has come to the forefront especially within regions which struggle to meet the increasing demands from different water users and trying to achieve future sustainability of the resource. The increase of water scarcity and stress as well as the continued pressure of population and economic growth has brought various new challenges into play. This book focuses on water as an increasing risk over the globe and specifically South Africa by reviewing both water availability and quality, evaluating water as a global and national risk. The book concludes by focusing on current limitations, necessary strategic actions as well as possible policy-related changes which may be required to adapt to future water challenges and to lessen water as an increasing risk.

Goliath's Reckoning: Unveiling the Biassed Truth Behind Children's Court that discriminates against Fathers

Goliath's Reckoning: Unveiling the Biassed Truth Behind Children's Court that discriminates against Fathers PDF

Author: Salatiso

Publisher: Salatiso

Published: 2024-06-10

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13:

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Discover a Father's Courageous Fight Against a Biased Legal System and the Struggle for True Equality In "Goliath's Reckoning: Unveiling the Biassed Truth Behind Children's Court," embark on a profound journey through the complexities of South Africa's family courts, where one father's unwavering determination to protect his son becomes a powerful stand against state-sanctioned gender discrimination. This compelling narrative not only explores the personal sacrifices and legal battles faced by fathers but also serves as a comprehensive guide for navigating a system that often seems rigged against them. Key Highlights: A Personal Battle: Follow the author's deeply personal story as he confronts a legal system that favors mothers and marginalizes fathers, threatening the best interests of children. Inspired by his own experiences and those of other fathers, the author reveals the immense strength required to challenge deeply entrenched biases. Legal Strategies and Practical Insights: Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for self-represented litigants fighting for their parental rights. This book offers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of family law, empowering parents to advocate effectively for their children. Equality Before the Law: Explore the critical principle of equality before the law, a cornerstone of justice that empowers every citizen, regardless of their background or social standing, to hold the government and its institutions accountable. Learn how state-sanctioned discrimination—whether based on gender or race—undermines this principle and threatens the future of South Africa's children. A Call to Action: "Goliath's Reckoning" is more than a memoir; it is a call to action for all those who have felt powerless against a biased system. The author challenges readers to stand up for what is right, using the power of personal agency and the guiding light of the Constitution to create a fair and just society. Why This Book Matters: In a world where justice and equality are often compromised by well-intentioned but flawed redress policies, this book shines a light on the urgent need for reform. The author argues that true equality before the law must be restored to protect the best interests of the child and ensure that every parent, including fathers, has the opportunity to play an active and nurturing role in their child's life. Who Should Read This Book: Fathers and Parents: Seeking to understand their rights and navigate the family court system. Legal Professionals: Interested in the impact of gender biases in family law. Social Justice Advocates: Committed to fighting all forms of state-sanctioned discrimination. Readers: Who believe in the power of individual agency and the importance of equality before the law.

Freshwater Challenges of South Africa and its Upper Vaal River

Freshwater Challenges of South Africa and its Upper Vaal River PDF

Author: Anja du Plessis

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-02-07

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 331949502X

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This book promotes better understanding and awareness of South Africa' significant water problems by describing the country's and especially the Upper Vaal River’s water resources. It is a “go-to” book for students, professionals and regular citizens when information is required regarding the country's and more specifically the Upper Vaal River’s freshwater resources. It highlights the major problems and risks which need to be addressed and give a realistic and true representation of the current water affairs.

Decision Support Systems XIII. Decision Support Systems in An Uncertain World: The Contribution of Digital Twins

Decision Support Systems XIII. Decision Support Systems in An Uncertain World: The Contribution of Digital Twins PDF

Author: Shaofeng Liu

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-05-17

Total Pages: 313

ISBN-13: 3031325346

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This book constitutes the proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Decision Support Systems Technologies, ICDSST 2023, held during May 30 – June 1, 2023. The EWG-DSS series of International Conference on Decision Support System Technology (ICDSST) is planned to consolidate the tradition of annual events organized by the EWG-DSS in offering a platform for European and international DSS communities, comprising the academic and industrial sectors, to present state-of-the-art DSS research and developments, to discuss current challenges that surround decision-making processes, to exchange ideas about realistic and innovative solutions, and to co-develop potential business opportunities. The main theme of this year was “Decision Support Systems in An Uncertain World: The Contribution of Digital Twins”. The 21 papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 65 submissions. They were organized in topical sections as follows: DSS models, methods, and tools; DSS for business performance and stakeholders; DSS applications for sustainability in health, energy and transportation; and DSS users and successful adoption.