When water becomes more precious than Diamond.

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When water becomes more precious than Diamond.
by \| 01-10-2015 19:31 0
I write this report in one of the world's largest producers of diamonds and in a country which also happens to be my birthplace, Botswana. I am here attend a wedding, for some sightseeing of the majestic Botswana landscapes and maybe a meeting with fellow Eco Generation Ambassador to Botswana, Tefo Batswalelang. I see a number of developments and changes that have come from the last time I was here some five years ago. But one thing I instantly learn is that Nature will always be bigger than mankind. Ladies and gentleman, this part of my visit is called "How-to-go-to-a-wedding-without-bathing". Its Saturday morning and I am awaken by the sounds of the crying hens in the distance. It?s my sister's wedding day, so I begin to get ready. I am drawn to the living room by the sounds of panic. The ladies are pacing all over the place like headless chickens. After an inquiry on why all the ladies are in more panic than the bride herself,I soon learn that the water was cut overnight. The taps are dry and there is no water in the house. The lucky few early birds have finished the little that was there. I stepped out of the brave skin I was in and joined the panic. I mean, this was not any ordinary day. This was the greatest day in the Shumba family in a long while. I couldn?t go to this wedding stinking from head to toe. After trying out I turned to the fridge where I found a 1liter bottle of frozen water. With my drying lips, I took the bottle outside, praying that the sun would rise quick but time would just stand still. To cut the long story short, from that day on water climbed the ladder to be one of the most important resources on earth in my list - somewhere close to clean air. The diamond rich country of Botswana has been in a water crisis for some time now. And while water restrictions have been in place in the semi-arid country since November 2012, residents of the greater Gaborone area have endured harsher rationing since last year because of the dam?s depletion. The capital and the surrounding ares receive a third of the daily 202 million-liter (318 million-gallon) requirement through a 600-kilometer (373-mile) pipeline from the Letsibogo Dam in the north east, the southern African country?s largest facility. The government of Botswana is currently constructing boreholes and dams in the spirit of supplementing water for Batswana. constructed many dams and boreholes all this in the spirit of supplementing water for Batswana. Image Sources: www.africareview.com/Botswana facing water crisis as major dam shrinks/ By MTOKOZISI DUBE in Gaborone \| Thursday, June 21 2012 at 18:56

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5 Comments

says :
Dear Konstantinos, Luiz, Rohan, Arushi

Thank you for your thoughtful comments on this issue of water shortage that most Sub-Saharan countries are beginning to face due to climate change... Climate change is no myth,,,, its real and it is happening.... It is up to us to change it as young people
Posted 05-10-2015 21:59

says :
I am glad to hear your sister got married, but I am also sad to hear there is such a large water problem in your home country Botswana. If this diamond-rich country used the diamonds to invest in water, and plants which sustain the water cyrcle, the problem could be partially solved. Unfortunately, most minerals are exploited by large companies, which means that most of the wealth is not provided for the well-being of Botswana's people and its environment. I wish young people of Botswana like you, will find a solution to this problem! :) Great report, thanks for sharing, Lesedi
Posted 05-10-2015 05:03

Luiz Bispo says :
Southeast Brazil also got a serious time. That was the water crisis. We need to be aware. Less pollution, less deforestation, less waste and more public policy. Thanks for you report mate =D
Posted 02-10-2015 23:11

Rohan Kapur says :
Many congrats on your Sister's wedding, Lesedi. This Water less marriage will remain embedded in your memory.
The authorities of Botswana must take some concrete action to solve this very big problem. Survival is difficult without adequate water supply.

Posted 02-10-2015 19:09

Arushi Madan says :
Thanks for introducing Botswana and highlighting the serious water shortage challenge it is facing. I appreciate your observation and strong realisation about water's importance after facing one day water cut. Very nicely you have written. It's really true that water is the most precious jewel on this earth and the source of our survival. We should use it wisely and reduce /stop it's wastage. I enjoyed reading your article , Lesedi.
Posted 02-10-2015 00:58