Water woes, a shortage of vets and objects of desire

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Wed 15 Mar   [Ozayr Patel] On Tuesday, the minister of water and sanitation said at a media briefing that Gauteng had enough water. He did say that there was only a slight deficit — 9% — in water supply, which amounted to 396 megalitres. Mchunu attributed these problems to poor infrastructure and the effect of load-shedding. He also expressed concern about water consumption in informal settlements, because it was not supplied through legal channels. But key to what Mchunu said was there was no concern about water security in Gauteng. He believes adequate work is being done, such as the newly commissioned reservoir in Vlakfontein that will add to the region’s water security. But today, the Mail & Guardian brings you coverage of a place in Johannesburg that has had no running water for six months. In Vrededorp — or Fietas as it is commonly known — on the fringe of the city’s centre, people feel forgotten. Other suburbs in Joburg, such as Crosby, Melville and Auckland Park, face regular water cuts. Stay tuned for that story, which will feature in the environment section soon. Today, we also bring you coverage about [young veterinarians leaving South Africa]( and the shortage of vets in the country. On a more glamorous note, the [Objects of Desire]( column in the Friday section of the M&G features desirable items such as silk cushions, fine leather goods, exquisite jewellery and clothing. Sign up to Green Guardian, our environmental newsletter, by clicking [here](. Ozayr Patel | Climate & Environment Editor [@Ozayr8]( Premium [Zuko Godlimpi: ANC may lose 2024 elections over energy crisis]( The ANC’s economic transformation committee deputy chair said the party would have difficulty justifying why it should return to power if load-shedding continued [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [Explainer: What a weak rand means for interest rates]( Later this month the South African Reserve Bank will decide how big a rise the country’s flailing economy can take [// Read more]( [Health ombud declares declares Rahima Moosa an unsafe hospital]( A report recommends that the hospital’s chief executive, Nozuko Mkabayi, be replaced and another CEO be appointed within three months [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [Mining output continues to be bruised by electricity blackouts]( Production declined for the 12th consecutive month in January, the largest negative contributors being platinum group metals and diamonds [// Read more]( [Graphics contest explores vibrant African marketplaces]( The American Express Amex ZA Graphic Arts Challenge drew artists, illustrators and designers from across South Africa and the continent [// Read more]( [Little fires everywhere as SA comes to terms with economic decline]( As the deteriorating economic conditions threaten to ignite another bout of social upheaval, we should consider our options for a co-ordinated blaze [// Read more]( Premium [SA faces a decline in services as young vets emigrate]( The removal of vets from the home affairs department’s critical skills list makes it hard for professionals from overseas to work in South Africa [// Read more]( [A practical guide to ethical use of ChatGPT in essay writing]( Artificial intelligence language models can be so much more than just another plagiarism plague [// Read more]( Pic of the day A view of damage after the rains and floods caused by the direct influence of Cyclone Yaku in the Sayan district in Lima, Peru on March 13, 2023. (Photo by Klebher Vasquez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa