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| Helen Zille: Why South African politician will only shower every three days | Helen Zille: Why South African politician will only shower every three days |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| How far would you go to save water? | How far would you go to save water? |
| Well, for the head of a provincial government in South Africa, it seems there is no sacrifice too big. | Well, for the head of a provincial government in South Africa, it seems there is no sacrifice too big. |
| Western Cape Premier Helen Zille has revealed that she showers only every third day. | Western Cape Premier Helen Zille has revealed that she showers only every third day. |
| But it seems that what may appear at first to be a drastic, move is, in fact, a noble one. | But it seems that what may appear at first to be a drastic, move is, in fact, a noble one. |
| And her reason? The Western Cape - famed for its winelands, mountains and beaches - has been experiencing severe water shortages which have worsened in the last year because of a drought in the region. | And her reason? The Western Cape - famed for its winelands, mountains and beaches - has been experiencing severe water shortages which have worsened in the last year because of a drought in the region. |
| "I shower briefly‚ once every three days‚ and for the rest wash in the hand basin. I used to wash my hair every day‚ but now only when I shower‚ with visibly negative consequences," Ms Zille wrote in a column. | "I shower briefly‚ once every three days‚ and for the rest wash in the hand basin. I used to wash my hair every day‚ but now only when I shower‚ with visibly negative consequences," Ms Zille wrote in a column. |
| "However‚ I regard oily hair in a drought to be as much of a status symbol as a dusty car." | "However‚ I regard oily hair in a drought to be as much of a status symbol as a dusty car." |
| Still, Ms Zille, the founder of South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), has shocked many with the revelations of her showering schedule. | Still, Ms Zille, the founder of South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), has shocked many with the revelations of her showering schedule. |
| Ms Zille is no stranger to controversy. She caused a storm recently after posting a tweet in which she suggested there were some positive aspects of colonialism. | Ms Zille is no stranger to controversy. She caused a storm recently after posting a tweet in which she suggested there were some positive aspects of colonialism. |
| Of course, for some South Africans, sacrificing your shower time might seem to be a middle-class problem. | Of course, for some South Africans, sacrificing your shower time might seem to be a middle-class problem. |
| Those living in Cape Town's informal settlements have to rely on a communal tap for water and bath out of a basin, while low-income households would usually have running water in the house and a bath. | Those living in Cape Town's informal settlements have to rely on a communal tap for water and bath out of a basin, while low-income households would usually have running water in the house and a bath. |
| This latest statement, however, has some thinking that her take on water preservation is admirable. | This latest statement, however, has some thinking that her take on water preservation is admirable. |
| So how did we end up knowing about the hygiene habits of one of South Africa's best-known politicians? | So how did we end up knowing about the hygiene habits of one of South Africa's best-known politicians? |
| Well, Ms Zille was rebuffing a recent article by TimesLive which raised questions about the provincial department's use of tax-papers money to install a water purification system at her official residence in Cape Town. | Well, Ms Zille was rebuffing a recent article by TimesLive which raised questions about the provincial department's use of tax-papers money to install a water purification system at her official residence in Cape Town. |
| Desperate to show that she takes the water crisis seriously, she said: "As for my husband and I‚ we try to use so little water‚ that I sometimes get worried about the hygienic and aesthetic consequences." | Desperate to show that she takes the water crisis seriously, she said: "As for my husband and I‚ we try to use so little water‚ that I sometimes get worried about the hygienic and aesthetic consequences." |
| The news might have provided some light relief on social media but for residents of the province, the water shortages are no laughing matter. | The news might have provided some light relief on social media but for residents of the province, the water shortages are no laughing matter. |
| The average water level of dams across the Western Cape is 35%‚ a significant drop from the 61% at the same time last year, according to the province's water affairs department. | The average water level of dams across the Western Cape is 35%‚ a significant drop from the 61% at the same time last year, according to the province's water affairs department. |
| As a result, what is known as "level five restrictions" on water use are now in place - with each of its six million residents allowed to use no more than 87 litres a day. | As a result, what is known as "level five restrictions" on water use are now in place - with each of its six million residents allowed to use no more than 87 litres a day. |
| The average eight-minute shower uses 62 litres, according to a 2011 study - 70% of each person's daily allowance. | The average eight-minute shower uses 62 litres, according to a 2011 study - 70% of each person's daily allowance. |
| Those who use too much face the possibility of a fine, with harsher measures brought in against certain businesses. | |
| But water use is difficult to keep tabs on, and so residents have been implored to "self-police". | But water use is difficult to keep tabs on, and so residents have been implored to "self-police". |
| It doesn't appear to be working. | It doesn't appear to be working. |
| Authorities say residents and businesses simply haven't been doing enough to adhere to the new rules. | Authorities say residents and businesses simply haven't been doing enough to adhere to the new rules. |
| The province is now looking at investing in alternative methods of water supply, including recycling and extraction of ground water. | The province is now looking at investing in alternative methods of water supply, including recycling and extraction of ground water. |