From the Editor
Editor ’ s message
About SABI
Carol Posthumus
The drought in the Western Cape has a severe grip on the region , with a disaster area being declared .
Capetonians continue to hope and pray for some good rainfall .
While SABI ’ s mission has long been the conservation and efficient use of water , this has only become “ mission-critical ” for most people recently due to dire necessity and profound awareness - this is a good thing , given that South Africa is , after all , a semi-arid country and we shouldn ’ t during dry or wet times ever take water for granted .
For all of our readers looking for excellent information on water conservation and management – and there now exists an incredible thirst for this info – we have many great insights into the waterscape . From the first part of a knowledge-packed article on South African Water Resources and Management to the vital business of delivering water treatment services in our country .
Water , water Gardens as therapy
We also present a useful feature on drip irrigation , which examines the technologies of water-optimising drip as well as all the usual must-reads – from dam levels data to our How To series .
Food gardens also come under the spotlight , and you wil , for sure , be fascinated by an aquaponics collaborative project sited at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan . Ensuring food security is also a mission-critical endeavour in South Africa , as there are far too many people that go to bed hungry every evening .
Hopefully , you will enjoy reading about Therapeutic Gardens Australia , which is an innovative consultancy for institutions , organisations and individuals . Gardens are food for body , mind and soul – and our world truly needs to get more in touch with nature as part of therapy and wellbeing .
Cape Town-headquartered SABI ( South African Irrigation Institute ) aims to boost optimal irrigation methodologies , water conservation and sustainability . SABI promotes the sharing of irrigation knowledge via :
• SABI membership and branch activities
• SABI Congress , the bi-annual leading African irrigation event
• IrrigationWise Academy courses in agriculture and landscape , presented nationwide with courses from entry to an advanced technical level
• SABI magazine , the Institute ’ s official technical journal and the only irrigation magazine in South Africa .
People from the irrigation , water , agricultural , landscape and related disciplines join SABI as they believe that responsible irrigation water use can result in water savings , increased socio-economic benefits , healthier communities , enhanced agricultural production , sustainable and attactive environments and further benefits such as energy saving .
To advertise in SABI magazine or find out more about SABI Congress 2017 ( Western Cape , Lord Charles Hotel ): visit : www . sabi . co . za , contact SABI on + 27 021 850 8220 or email info @ sabi . co . za
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SABI | JUNE / JULY 2017