It’s interesting that many South African urbanites are blissfully unaware that SA is actually a water-scarce country. In fact, we rank as around the 40th driest country in the world. We also have a heavily over-strained and under-maintained water supply network, where those on the edges of the system don’t even have access to the running water that those in the cities enjoy, something that was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is predicted to hit water scarcity by 2025, and a water deficit above 15% by 2030 (based on current usage trends). With global warming and wasteful practices, the future of our supply is at risk if we don’t act now.

Masego Morgan and Nondumiso Beattie wear SELFI. Shoes: Matsidiso

Capetonians know, more than most other cities in the world, what it feels like to be on the verge of taps running dry. When Cape Town announced only a 90-day supply in 2018, the city made global headlines and made many, at home and abroad, confront the impending water crisis in a very real way.  “Day Zero” still has an ominous ring for those who call the city home. Water issues have not disappeared, both in the Mother City and across Mother Earth, as we grapple with how to ensure all people clean water. The United Nations states that water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people, a figure which is projected to rise as temperatures do: “More and more countries are experiencing drought and desertification is already worsening trends. By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people will suffer recurring water shortages.”

Stella Hertantyo wears 1971

The fashion industry is a big player in the pollution and consumption of water and, both the sector and consumers have an urgent responsibility to swiftly re-organise priorities and preferences to minimise the impact that clothing has on our global and local supplies.

Stella Hertantyo and Masego Morgan wear AKJP 

This is why we are so passionate about shining a spotlight on local brands who are conscious and considered in their fabric choices and production chain. As consumers, be more mindful of the fabric choices that you select, do a little research, do bit of research to understand the impact that certain fabrics have on the planet. Do it as you shop. Check the label, then check the impact, and make an informed decision. Support brands that support sustainable textiles and adopt second-hand or clothing-swop habits. Oh, and don’t wash your jeans after a single wash (in fact, re-assess how often you wash items of clothing in general.)

Nondumiso Beattie and Stella Hertantyo in FIKILE SOKHULU 

It’s through these small lifestyle edits by the many, and addressing large systems of the few, that we make a difference. To embody that conversation, we collaborated with sustainability voices and @cnscs_ (an Insta-platform and blog, pronounced ‘conscious’) co-founders Masego Morgan and Stella Hertantyo, and Nondumiso Beattie, one of our favourite local faces with her own passion for a kinder, smarter future, to front our shoot about.

Masego Morgan and Stella Hertantyo in Rethread

Beyond these changes to your closet, start paying attention to ways that you can put less pressure on water demands. It’s crucial that we mass-mobilise and make water-saving practices part of our daily lives: shorter showers, grey water, save, save, save.

Nondumiso Beattie in UNI FORM by Luke Radloff

Another great way to make an individual change is by using a JoJo water tank to supplement your personal supply and limit your demand of the national grid. As SA’s leading manufacturer of water tanks, JoJo is so passionate about chasing a sustainable future from all angles that they came on board to sponsor our shoot of local designers who have a conscious ethos and work towards a better tomorrow.

Nondumiso Beattie wears ĆOISE 

Our shoot location, Battery Park with its waterwise fynbos and eco-friendly irrigation systems, was the ideal backdrop to show how effortlessly JoJo water tanks integrate into urban spaces.  As props, we selected tanks from the over 13 colours to #MakeYourHomeJoJo – from the ubiquitous JoJo Green to Stormy Sky to Royal Blue to a marble-finish sandstone for matching to your home environment.

Stella Hertantyo, Nondumiso Beattie and Masego Morgan wear Asha : Elevan

JoJo tanks are an easy fit into your home. Each water unit has a food-grade inner lining to prevent algae growth and a UV-stabilised outer layer to withstand our hot African climate. With a water tank, you can store rainwater and greywater to use in your garden. JoJo also has different filtration solutions that purify harvested rainwater for cleaning or drinking.

Masego Morgan, Nondumiso Beattie and Stella Hertantyo wear ĆOISE 

So, go on, make your closet conscious and #MakeYourHomeJoJo – take it from us who’ve stared Day Zero in the face and lived to tell the tale, so that we can all rally into action to steer ourselves away from taps running dry.

• You can see all the JoJo tank colours here. Choose the right one for a truly co-ordinated home for municipal back up and rainwater harvesting
• There are also a range of shapes and sizes (for a perfect fit, no matter what outdoor space you may have living in the city).
• This is a sponsored collaboration with JoJo 
• Stella, Masego and Nondumiso are wearing Asha : Eleven in the feature image

 

CREDITS

Creative Direction @kybxshxff 

Photography @theodoreafrika  

Styling @tandekile_mkize  

Hair and Makeup @amylouise_makeup_ 

Photo Assistant @teagannnnnnn_

Fashion Assistant @teepeenmafoks @ty_graham01

Shoot Assistants Mpilo Headman and Sizwe Shumane

Faces @coconut_cracked @stella_hartantyo @nondi.bt

Clothing from @nineteenseventy1 @asha_eleven @___selfi @sokhulufikile @rethread_ @studiocoise @_AKJP @uniformza @w35t_

Shoes from @matsidiso_sa or Model’s own (thrifted)