Nathan Cheiman
However, the stance of the ANC and academics in universities here in South Africa, in suspending co-operation with their counterparts in Israel, is profoundly troubling and disappointing.
South Africa loses more than 25 per cent of its clean water annually due to poor infrastructure and maintenance; the country is also in the grip of a crippling drought. Israel has all the answers relating to water technology. In short, water in South Africa is scarce.
Countries such as India, Mexico, America, Turkey and China have all rushed to take advantage of Israeli water technology and resourcefulness.
Israel recycles more than 90 per cent of its water and has demonstrated that its sewage bacterial scrubbers can return clean water to the system. In addition, Israel’s scientists have invented computer shower heads and mathematical algorithms to detect leaks and bursts. The country also leads the way in the desalination of sea water.
Zuma signed a $60 billion co-operation deal with China in 2015. Yet, China, has extensive dealings with Israel, not only with regard to water technology.
It is difficult to understand the ANC’s and the government’s reluctance to do business with Israel, regardless of the politics in the Middle East.
Moreover, Zuma’s statement at the ANC’s 104th birthday bash was hypocritical when he said: “We urge parties to co-operate in line with principles of international law and resolutions of the United Nations.”
The failure of Zuma to order the arrest and detention of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in terms of an International Criminal Court warrant was a shocking disregard for international law, more so because South Africa is a voluntary signatory to the Rome Statute.
As a result of Zuma’s failure, al-Bashir was able to slip out of the country and land safely back home.
The “principles of co-operation and international law” which Zuma says he espouses, (and alluded to in his statement), seem to be an expediency to promote ANC and government interests.
Nevertheless, it is a pity that South Africa will lose out on Israeli water technology, a technology that is lauded around the world.
Northcliff, Johannesburg
