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Tag: water

Blog post: ANALYSIS: Fact-checking claims about service delivery in South Africa since 1994

With South African municipal elections set to take place in 2021, we can expect a lot of service delivery comparisons. They may not all add up.

09:39 | 8 October 2020 (GMT)

1 comment

  • 1994
  • access
  • service delivery
  • South Africa
  • water

Blog post: ANALYSIS: Thirsty species? The science behind the eucalyptus tree ban in Kenya’s wetlands

The eucalyptus tree grows widely in Kenya, and rumours of the non-native tree’s remarkable thirst are nearly as rife. In a water-scarce country this raises concern, but is the gumtree’s reputation accurate?

08:52 | 19 June 2020 (GMT)

3 comments

  • eucalyptus
  • gumtree
  • Kenya
  • water
  • water consumption

#WorldWaterDay: 10 facts – some surprising – about Africa’s water

Ms Anna Jacobs fills her bucket with water from a tap placed by the government next to her house in this April 1999 file picture. As the world marks World Water Day on 22 March, for many in Africa, water access remains a key challenge. Photo: ODD ANDERSEN / AFP

How many people in the region don’t have safe water? Do Cape Town residents use it mainly for their pools and gardens? Do well-off Nairobians pay less for their water?

07:06 | 22 March 2019 (GMT)

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  • water

ANC at 107: Eight birthday claims by party leader Ramaphosa fact-checked

A helicopter flies a giant flag of South Africa's ruling African National Congress with a picture of President Cyril Ramaphosa over Durban in January 2019 as the party urged people to register to vote for upcoming elections. Photo: AFP/RAJESH JANTILAL

Claims

Eight claims from the ANC’s 2019 "January 8th statement"
Source: ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa

checked

Verdict

Three correct, two mostly correct, one incorrect, two misleading

Read more

09:52 | 10 January 2019 (GMT)

  • ANC
  • economy
  • education
  • employment
  • health
  • water

No, Kenya’s capital Nairobi doesn’t rake in KSh10bn a year from Murang’a water

A woman turns on a tap at a water distribution site in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Water resources are often contested in the country. Photo: AFP/ROBERTO SCHMIDT

Claim

Nairobi makes KSh10 billion from Murang’a county water every year.
Source: Murang’a county governor Mwangi wa Iria (October 2018)

incorrect

Verdict

Nairobi earned KSh5.1 billion from sale of water in 2016/17 - and not all from Murang'a.

Read more

11:24 | 10 December 2018 (GMT)

  • devolution
  • natural resources
  • Oil
  • water

Do 80% of Nigerians lack safe drinking water? It’s worse than that

Women collect water in a camp for internally displaced people in Bama, Nigeria, in December 2016. Photo: STEFAN HEUNIS

Claim

Close to 80% of Nigerians lack potable water.
Source: Journalist Dele Sobowale (May 2018)

downplayed

Verdict


90.8% of Nigerians’ household drinking water contaminated by E coli bacteria.

Read more

07:19 | 22 June 2018 (GMT)

  • environment
  • health
  • water

Does South Africa guzzle 235 litres of water per person daily?

A near empty dam on a farm outside Piketberg north of Cape Town in March 2018. Photo: AFP/WIKUS DE WET

Claims

Two claims on South Africa's water consumption
Source: South African Local Government Association president (SALGA) Parks Tau

checked

Verdict

Ratings of mostly correct and unproven

Read more

09:52 | 11 April 2018 (GMT)

  • drought
  • environment
  • water
checked

Nairobi’s water supply: 2 claims about losses & high prices in slums evaluated

Is nearly half of capital city’s water lost and do inhabitants of slums pay much more for water than those in swanky apartments? We judged two of governor Mike Sonko’s claims about Nairobi’s water supply

10:19 | 12 February 2018 (GMT)

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  • data
  • poverty
  • water
checked

#5facts: Water in South Africa

While it pours with rain in Johannesburg, Cape Town residents are worried about the taps running dry. We look at 5 facts about water in South Africa

12:10 | 6 December 2017 (GMT)

6 comments

  • drought
  • water
correct

Yes, SA has less water per person than Botswana & Namibia

It sounds implausible that South Africa would have less water available per resident than its neighbours Botswana and Namibia, home of the Kalahari and Namib deserts. But the claim checks out.

07:43 | 2 November 2017 (GMT)

1 comment

  • environment
  • water
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