The Journey
of Water
Campaign
WWF-South Africa - in partnership with
Sanlam – work towards conserving
this precious resource, based on the
assertion that by protecting the country’s
key water production areas – we will
make a real and tangible difference
towards South Africa’s water security.
These production areas are high rainfall/
high run-off environments which are
essentially “water factories”, supplying
water to the majority of the country.
South Africa is a water scarce country.
We know that a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the
well-being of our people, and when it comes to water security
this link is patently clear.
Recent research by WWF together with the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research (CSIR) mapped out South Africa’s
strategic water sources areas - the ‘crown jewels’ of the
country’s water resources. The research revealed that only 8%
of the land area of South Africa generates more than half of our
or river flow.
This 8%, along with critical source areas in Lesotho and Swaziland
(which hold another 4%), form our key water production areas.
The 8% is made up of 19 strategic water source areas strung out
along the Eastern escarpment and in the Cape Fold belt, mainly
high mountainous areas with naturally high rainfall.
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These areas not only supply the catchments and dams
downstream, they provide water to the sectors, industries and
activities which drive our economy.
However, our strategic water source areas are under threat from
mining activities, alien vegetation and climate change impacts.
Many South Africans, especially those living in urban areas, do
not understand or appreciate where the water that flows from
their taps really comes from, and the key role healthy natural
catchments play in providing it.
The Journey of Water campaign aims to link South African urban
users to their source of water – nature!
The Walk
The big idea is was to take a select group of South African
celebrities, media representatives and bloggers – chosen for
their large fan bases and their social media followings, on a real
life journey of water from one of the 19 strategic water source
areas, the Boland Mountains – the headwaters of the Berg and
Eerste rivers – to the city of Cape Town. It’s was a 4-day, +/-85
km walk and all the participants required to carry a full glass of
water throughout. We knew that water would be spilt, glasses
would break, and some participants wouldn’t make it to the end,
but this was to be expected because the journey of water is not
easy – it is treacherous and unpredictable, and it’s not for the
faint-hearted.
During the walk our selected group of media and celebrities
relayed their experiences along the way via social media,
CORPORATE SOCIAL REVIEW