WEATHER forecasting has come a long way since we sought signs of rain by consulting the elders about the condition of their joints. But still there is no certainty. At best, the South African Weather Service provides a probability of rain or shine, so we take our chances.But what has been known to South Africans since the first farmers tilled the soil here, is that this is a semi-arid country prone to long spells of drought. South Africans know also that the economy and, therefore, social stability depend on a reliable supply of potable water.It is for this reason, and for reasons of common decency and in compliance with SA’s Bill of Rights, that so much has been made of the efforts to secure potable water for every citizen. Now, about 80% of South Africans are claimed by the state to have access to a reliable supply of potable water, up from about 66% in 1990.While this government policy is as laudable as it is obligatory, it is undermined by the inconsistency with which it is appl...
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