Reality Check: New Race Quotas for Water Use
Unearthing the Dry Truth on South Africa's Racial Water Quota Policy
Greetings,
Today, I'm here to shed light on a significant development happening in the rainbow nation of South Africa that will undoubtedly affect everyday lives and potentially engrave the white minority as second-class citizens.
The ANC has been in constant pursuit of equality since coming to power in 1994. However, it wasn't long before they introduced racially discriminatory laws such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). This legislation has forced a substantial portion of the white minority into poverty - a topic we have reported on before. Currently, I am in the process of editing a video story that explores the effects of BEE, which has resulted in white townships.
However, it didn’t stop with BEE. The ANC government has recently introduced race quotas that will dictate access to our most precious resource - water.
As of 19th May, Minister of Water, Senzo Mchunu, drafted regulations that would instate race quotas for the allocation of water use licenses. Such licenses are the lifeblood for businesses operating in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and mining. Under these newly proposed regulations, applicants using more than 250,000 m3 of water or withdrawing more than a specified minimum amount from streams must meet strict racial quotas to access water, an essential resource for life, livestock, agriculture, and industry.
So, what's the implication? If a farmer or a company doesn't "allocate" between 25% and 75% of its shares to individuals that the regulations categorize as "blacks", they could be refused water access, irrespective of their needs. Considering that agriculture, which currently consumes 60% of South Africa's water resources for food production, the implications of these water race quotas could be devastating.
The scenario is bleak. Animals could perish from thirst because the skin color of their caretaker is deemed "incorrect". Fertile lands could become desolate because the people who till them are seen as "unfit". Countless workers from diverse backgrounds stand to lose their jobs as agriculture and mining sectors, starved of water, crumble and decline, mirroring the path that led Rhodesia to Zimbabwe.
Let's not forget the white farming community, which is already under severe pressure. The precautionary measures they're forced to adopt due to the surge in farm murders present yet another layer of hardship. These farmers, who strive to feed the nation, now face not just the constant threat of violence but also the prospect of their farms being rendered unproductive by these racially discriminatory water regulations. In a country where farming is already a high-risk occupation, this new legislation could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
And yet, the rest of the world stands in silence as South Africa doubles down on their racial discrimination against the white minority.
New Mini-Documentary: Uncovering South Africa's Farm Murder Crisis 🇿🇦🌾
Watch now (7 min) | Greetings, I'm excited to share with you my latest mini-documentary, in which we explore the heart-wrenching Plaasmoorde Monument, a symbol of the ongoing farm murder crisis in South Africa. Throughout this emotional journey, we meet Chris, the monument's dedicated caretaker, who provides us with invaluable insights into the lives of the farmers and thei…
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Take care, enjoy a glass of water, and spare a thought for South Africa.
Jonas Nilsson