South Africa is facing a growing water crisis. While the Constitution promises everyone the right to sufficient and safe water, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Years of poor planning, weak infrastructure, and corruption, including what was uncovered by the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, have left many communities with unsafe, unreliable, or no water at all.
The Water Justice Report examines these systemic failures and poses tough yet necessary questions about how we arrived at this point and what must change. It examines the gap between policy and practice, and how the promise of water for all has too often become a shallow form of justice.
But the report is also about action. It offers practical steps for communities to stand up for their rights, hold those in power accountable, and push for real, lasting change in how water is managed and delivered.
Download the Water Justice Report to learn more about the crisis, your rights, and how you can be part of the movement for water justice.
Talking Water Justice
An interview on Area Code, hosted by Prettie Ngwenya, featuring Jonathan van der Walt, researcher at the Legal Resources Centre, in conversation about water justice, accountability, and the right to access clean water.
Broadcast on VOW FM 88.1, the 24-hour campus radio station of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
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 water report by researcher Jonathan van der Walt 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 governments 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 peoples lives.
Welcome to the State Capture and Beyond campaign, an ambitious nationwide initiative dedicated to combating corruption and fostering accountability in South Africa. Spearheaded by the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) and the Human Rights Media Trust (HRMT), in partnership with Brot für die Welt (BfdW) and co-funded by the European Union, this campaign seeks to address the pervasive issue of state capture and promote informed public participation in governance.
Our mission is to empower citizens, support vulnerable groups, and ensure transparency in public processes through strategic activities and coalition-building efforts. Join us in our journey to create a transparent, accountable, and integrity-driven South Africa. Together, we can move beyond state capture and build a brighter future for all.
