South Africa will be commemorating National Water Month during March, an expansion of World Water Day, observed annually on 22 March. National Water Month is a moment to reflect on water supply challenges; the strides the country has made to expand access to water; and the road ahead. Government has elevated water to the top of its agenda, recognising that universal access to water and sanitation is a moral imperative and a prerequisite for sustainable development. South Africa remains a water scarce country; citizens are urged to use water sparingly.
The South African National Committee for UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) is running a country-wide initiative to celebrate 50 years of UNESCO IHP – Photo Story Competition on Citizen Science for Water, open to South Africans 18 years and older. This is to mark half a century of UNESCO IHP’s dedicated efforts towards water research, education, and sustainable management.
A picture is worth a thousand words and powerful photo stories highlighting and raising awareness on the intertwined relationship between water and science, communities, education, culture and partnerships demonstrate how citizens effectively support the sustainable use and management of water. The objective of the Photo Story Competition is therefore to raise awareness on the intertwined relationship between water and the various dimensions of culture, value, education and the natural sciences, in the past and present and to demonstrate how citizens, communities, and education could effectively support the sustainable use and management of water. In addition, the competition will inform water use and management, especially using the cross-cutting perspectives of relevant stakeholders, including artists, cultural practitioners and civil society organisations, and contribute to joint actions in the water action agenda and activate youth involvement in communicating matters of water action creatively.
Each photo story should speak to one of the five themes: Water and Citizen Science; Water and Partnerships; Water and Education; Water and Culture; and Water and Communities with a maximum of three Photo Story entries by a single photographer. Winners will be exhibited at a curated exhibition by UNISA and will be featured in the South Africa Photo Story Book.
The closing date for entries is 26 March 2025 and winners will be announced during April 2025. Additional information can be found on the Department of Water and Sanitation website: https://www.dws.gov.za