National Water Week and World Water Day 2023

Water covers more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface area and is essential to our survival. Each year in March we celebrate National Water Week to draw attention to the importance of water resources and our collective responsibility towards water conservation initiatives. This year, World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. The National Water Week campaign is aimed at educating the public about their responsibility in water conservation initiatives, raising awareness around the need to protect and conserve the country’s water resources. The Department of Water and Sanitation celebrates Water Week by urging everyone to use water sparingly to ensure Water for All. And because water affects us all, we need everyone to take action. The theme and focus for World Water Day 2023 is Accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. This year’s World Water Day theme puts a spotlight on the devastating impacts the lack of clean water and sanitation can have on the lives of children and their families. The Dyer Island Conservation Trust Environmental Education Programme learners raised awareness at their local school where they did talks on the importance of conserving water. Their stories below:

I would like to speak on the topic of saving water today while celebrating such a nice occasion. Hope you all would help me and let me fulfil the objectives of my speech. As we all know the importance of water in our life. Water involves in almost all the processes in our body such as digestion, respiration, maintaining body temperature, etc. It is required to remove the thirst of our body. We can live for days without food, however, cannot imagine living without water more than a day. The level of use drinking water on earth is very less and other water is salty and not useful to living beings. Water is required for everything from plants, animals, microorganisms, human being, etc to fulfil the body requirements. We should not waste water by draining it without purpose. All the taps should be closed properly to avoid unnecessary water drainage. (Thinama Desemela Grade 7)

We all know how water is important for the continuation of life on the earth. It is the most basic need of everyone (human being, animal, plant and other microorganisms). It arises a question in my mind that if water is a renewable source then why we should worry about water and try to conserve it. There is only 1% of the water on the earth which is usable to us. Parents should make their children aware about the need for water conservation. They should avoid buying recreational water toys for their children. Everyone should be aware of the water shortage rules and restrictions and strictly follow in their area. (Nizole Mehlwana Grade 7)

This is what Pinkey Ngewu had to say to wrap up the awareness campaign, “Water is more important than anything else on the planet. We must join hands and save water. By saving water today, we are saving our future. Without water, we cannot imagine life. You and your family, school and community can make a difference by changing the way you use, consume and manage water in your lives.”

Nizole and Thinama – Grade 7 learners