The optics of 'Day Zero' and the role of the state in water security for a township in Cape Town (South Africa)

• Published in: Water international Vol. 46; no. 6; pp. 841 - 860
• Main Authors: LaVanchy, G. Thomas, Kerwin, Michael W., Kerwin, Gregory J., McCarroll, Meghan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Urbana Routledge 18-08-2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Apartheid; Cape Town; Constitutional rights; Day Zero; Dimensions; Governance; human right to water; Optics; Post-apartheid era; Residents; Security; State role; Water; Water governance; Water policy; Water security; South Africa; Cape Town South Africa
• ISSN: 0250-8060; 1941-1707
• DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2021.1946763

Cape Town (South Africa) provides a unique setting to critique the myriad forces producing the varied, contextual conditions of water security. In post-apartheid Cape Town, water is considered a constitutional right and all citizens are guaranteed free minimum access. Despite this progress, water security is often fragmented and personalized. This paper examines the perspectives and experiences of residents in Langa township following the 'Day Zero' event of 2018. Embedded in the optics of the crisis we found differentiated dimensions of security more reflective of the apartheid era. Our findings illustrate the need for adaptive water governance to promote water justice.