Better Together

Jun 18 / Aldert
Have you ever been to a sporting event and experienced being part of a Mexican wave?
A Mexican wave is that cool phenomenon you see at crowded events like sports games or concerts. It's where a wave-like motion travels through the crowd, while everyone remains seated.
Here's how it works:
  • People in one section of the crowd all stand up, cheer, and raise their arms at the same time.
  • Then, as quickly as they stood up, they all sit back down.
  • The next section over then repeats the action, standing up just as the first section sits down.
  • This creates a continuous wave that moves around the entire stadium.
The wave is a fun way for the crowd to show their energy and excitement, and it can be really impressive to see a large stadium doing it all together.
It's quite a significant experience to participate in something with 50,000 other people, of whom you only maybe know ten.
Imagine being part of something lasting longer than any sporting event, and needing much more encouragement and engagement from the crowd than any sports team. Water needs our support to win the battle against water scarcity.
#SurplusWater2025's mission is to continuously build a community of individuals and companies committed to reducing our water footprint by 20-25%, to hinder water scarcity from gaining the upper hand and achieve surplus water in South Africa.
We believe that if we work together, focus on efficient use, and lower our demand, surplus water is possible. Schools, office complexes, shopping centers, and even sports stadiums can reduce their demand by between 20 and 50%. This isn't a hypothetical statement. Real South African case studies and data show that it is indeed possible.

What can you do to help?

A Mexican wave is something done by spectators. When it comes to water scarcity, we cannot remain passive observers.
The Lorax in the children's story written by Dr. Seuss says: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. Not at all."
Become part of the wave of individuals caring about water. Caring individuals inspire others to care. Even the smallest act contributes to a larger outcome. Being vigilant about 1 ml of water will have a significant impact. A thousand 1 ml drops of water make 1 liter.

Many drops make an ocean!

Commit to start today. Show you care by knowing what you use, only using what you need, improving efficiencies, and fixing and reporting water leaks. It's the cheapest way to do something about it right now and is within everyone's power.
A willing crowd of supporters is essential to 'pull off' a Mexican. It may start with one person, but the buy-in of each and every one in the stadium is needed.
Don't keep the water heroes hanging. Become one yourself. Make your splash. We are all in this together. And TOGETHER we are going to create the wave of change needed to ensure water security.
We believe everyone has a role to play in saving our water resources.

Ready to play your part?

There are countless ways to conserve water in your daily life. Check out our Facebook and Instagram for actionable tips on how to save water. Search for #25waystosaveWater.

Want to take more action?

Understanding the water situation and why it is important to conserve it, is the first step to taking Water Action. Sign up for Water Matters 101 to confidently start the water conversation and make your splash. FREE with the code 'SW2025'.
Free access is made possible by the many individual and corporate partners of #SurplusWater2025 who are doing what they can to spread awareness and reduce our collective demand for a sustainable water future.
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More stories on Freshwater:
Focus on Freshwater: A Journey Through South Africa's Lifeblood
South African Wetlands of International Importance
Five Freshwater Facts on Wetlands
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