A conference in Cape Town on 24 July examined the links between water scarcity and food security, with speakers addressing both global water bankruptcy risks and local struggles for basic water access.
The event took place at the Two Oceans Aquarium Conference Centre and was hosted by the SA Urban Food & Farming Trust as part of its annual Food Indaba. It was co-hosted by the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security.
Deshni Pillay of the United Nations Development Programme South Africa described water bankruptcy as a polycrisis that affects food prices and nutrition. She cited the 2018 Day Zero crisis in Cape Town, noting how water shortages led to higher costs for vegetables and maize meal.
Faeza Meyer of the African Water Commons Collective and other speakers, including Henriette Abrahams, highlighted ongoing issues in communities without reliable clean water. Meyer questioned the practical impact of the National Water Action Plan and called for better public involvement in finding solutions.