Capture This! is a  podcast series that shines a light on failing councils, collapsing cities and the communities at the helm of the resistance.  

 This first episode, draws on a recently published report by researcher Jonathan van der Walt beyondstatecapture.org.za/water-report/ which deals with the spectacular failure to provide the essential life force we all need to survive – water. Hosted by filmmaker, Tsogo Kupa and human rights advocate, Eldonna Muhwava, we explore the causes of the water crisis, the legal context, and the reasons behind the government’s inability to address the issue effectively. Featuring insights from water justice advocates and perspectives from communities directly affected, we aim to present a clear picture of the crisis and its impact on people’s lives.

In the podcast

• An overview of recently released research report ‘Shallow Justice’ 
• Contributions from experts, activists, and individuals affected by the ongoing water crisis.
• A discussion on systemic obstacles to achieving substantive justice.
• Considerations about the future: possibilities for achieving genuine justice and moving beyond state capture.

Key Takeaways: 

Topic 1: [00;02;45;18 – 00;03;47;14] Shallow Justice research report outlined by Jonathan van der Walt and Eldonna Muhwava.

Topic 2: [00;04;00;23 – 00;05;27;09] Michael Makhwara, principal of a Soweto high school on the impacts of no water in his school.

Topic 3: [00;05;59;16 – 00;08;27;25]  Siphesihle Masondo and Nqobile Ndima, on impacts of anti-poor water policy on informal settlement residents in Phumla Mqashi.

Topic 4: [00;09;43;28 – 00;11;51;22]  Water Justice activist, Koni Benson, on the deeper political context. 

Topic 5: [00;15;01;19 – 00;21;14;02 ]  Trevor Ngwane and Dale McKinley talk about the fight against privatisation and how privatisation has caused the crisis.

Topic 6: [00;26;37;00 – 00;29;08;06]  Ingrid Bester from the Johannesburg Water Crisis Committee on why she was motivated into activism.

Links to Sources: 

Shallow Justice Report: beyondstatecapture.org.za/water-report/ 

Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) “Blue Drop: Watch Report 2023” (2023) available at ws.dws.gov.za/IRIS/latestresults.aspx 

Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) “Green Drop: Progress Assessment Report 2023” (2023) available at ws.dws.gov.za/iris/releases/GDWR.pdf 

Tracy Ledger ‘Empty Promises: The struggle for equitable access to water in South Africa’ (2024) Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) available at pari.org.za/report-empty-promises-the- struggle-for-equitable-access-to-water-in-south-africa 

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The Capture This! series is brought to you by the State Capture and Beyond Campaign, spearheaded by the Human Rights Media Trust and Legal Resources Centre in partnership with Bread for the World and co-funded by the European Union. 

This episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Your reviews and ratings are greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer:

This recording was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Human Rights Media Trust and the Legal Resources Centre and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.