We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: ESWATINI WATER CRISIS - Musi
HEADLINE: Eswatini's Water Supply Shrinks as Temperatures Increase
TEASER:
PUBLISHED:
BYLINE: Nokukhanya Musi
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Maphungwane, Eswatini
VIDEOGRAPHER: Samkeliso Sibandze
VIDEO EDITOR: Sibusiso Dlamini
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Africa Division Editors
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA original, Skype
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV_X RADIO X
TRT: 2:29
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
[[Twenty-five percent of Eswatini’s rural communities lack clean drinking water, according to the charity WaterAid. And another 40% of these communities do not have access to water. Nokukhanya Musi has the story from Maphungwane, in the Lubombo region.]]
((NARRATOR))
Every day, Jabu Gamedze makes a two-kilometer trek to Mkhulubane River, the only water source near her home in Maphungwane in the Lubombo region of Eswatini. Although the water is contaminated and her route is dangerous, with risks of theft and sexual assault, says she has no other choice.
[[Radio track: Gamedze says that as the seasons grow hotter and drier, the water the residents rely on is becoming scarcer. The well is starting to run dry, and the community's future hangs in the balance.]]
((Jabu Gamedze, Maphungwane Resident)) ((Female, in Siswati))
“As the seasons grow hotter and drier, the water we rely on is becoming scarcer. The well that has sustained us for so long is starting to run dry, and our future hangs in the balance.”
((NARRATOR))
According to the United Nations, the annual mean temperatures in Eswatini have increased by more than three degrees Celsius between 1961 and 2000. These shifts have led to decreased stream flows in primary river basins and heightened instances of waterborne diseases.
[[Radio track: Celucolo Silolo, says that in addition to worrying about getting good grades at school, he has to worry about getting water every day. He says he often falls asleep in class.]]
((Celucolo Silolo, Maphungwane Resident)) ((Male, Siswati))
“We must wake up early to fetch water before going to school, negatively impacting our studies. By the time we arrive at school, we are already tired and often fall asleep in class.”
[[Radio track: Melvin Dlamini, a member of Maphungwane’s Community Development Committee, says Maphungwane's children are sick and the water is unclean. Residents have no other choice but to drink it, even though they know it will make them ill.]]
((Melvin Dlamini, Maphungwane Community Development Committee (Male, Siswati)))
“Our children are sick, and our water is unclean. We have no other choice but to drink it, even though we know it will make us ill.”
((NARRATOR))
International aid agencies such as WaterAid and World Vision International are working to address the water crisis in Eswatini by funding the construction of water filtering systems and new wells as well as improvements to sanitation facilities.
The Italian aid agency Cooperation for the Development of Emerging Countries, or COSPE,
((MANDATORY COURTESY CHYRON OVER STILLS: COPSE))
is collaborating with the people of Maphungwane in the construction of a new water filtration system, set to be unveiled soon.
((END COURTESY))
((Richard Ngombo Masimula, COSPE Water Activities Coordinator (Male, English))
“They identify the problems affecting them as a result of climate change. They also come out with proposed solutions on how they can adapt and address those issues.”
((Mandatory courtesy: COPSE))
((NARRATOR))
In 2023, the Eswatini government allocated funds to improve water supply schemes, which will benefit over 41,000 people.
((Nokukhaya Musi, VOA News, Maphungwane, Eswatini.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 29, 2024 07:51 EST
BylineNokukhanya Musi
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
