For the past fortnight, thousands in South Africa have queued for water amidst a critical failure of Johannesburg's water supply system, impacting millions. The crisis, marked by a severe scarcity not previously witnessed by residents, stems from a combination of hot weather reducing reservoir levels and the deterioration of infrastructure due to long-term neglect.
This situation poses a significant threat to the African National Congress's longstanding dominance, especially with an upcoming election. The concept of "watershedding," mirroring the electricity "loadshedding" the country is already accustomed to, has been introduced as water shortages become a regional issue. Gauteng province authorities, encompassing Johannesburg and Pretoria, have warned that without a reduction in water usage, the system could entirely collapse, potentially leading reservoirs to fall below 10% capacity, necessitating a shutdown for replenishment.
Source: apnews.com