Armageddon or beacon of hope: What would South Africa look like in 2100?

News24

a day ago

Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank's Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs
There is no doubt that South Africa faces serious environmental and climate risks, but often the severity or urgency of the problem doesn't quite hit home. The poorest communities, many of whom are already faced with dire circumstances such as no access to clean water, will suffer the brunt of inaction. And so, to bring home just how pressing the situation is, Nedbank asked an artificial intelligence (AI) platform to imagine what South Africa would look like in 2100 if we do not meet the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The outcome is, frankly, terrifying. Severe water shortages, economic instability, a deeply unbalanced ecosystem, and ruin. However, there is a method to the madness of invoking such a bleak future. The activity, part of Nedbank's Purpose Storytelling initiative, is an explicit call to action. We haven't yet missed the UN SDGs. We may not be tracking exceedingly well, but if we take urgent, collective action and meet these goals, the future imagined is vastly different: A vibrant country with water and food security, abundant renewable energy, and economic inclusion that fosters educational excellence and innovation.
We are at the point in history where action, or inaction, puts us on a path to 1 of these 2 future states.
Sustainability has been part of Nedbank's DNA for decades. It is fundamental to what we do, how we innovate, how we envisage financing, and how we partner because of 1 simple truth: A sustainable bank needs a sustainable Africa, and a sustainable economy needs a sustainable country. Our futures are intricately intertwined with the myriad of ecological systems that breathe life into our existence.
At this juncture, it is important to reframe the UN SDGs not just as targets, but as a survival, and ultimately, a prosperity framework. While the future may well see water become akin to currency, in many ways it already is in South Africa. Our water infrastructure is crippling, and a history of skewed development means many communities are already experiencing systemic collapse.
At the bank, we understand that the challenge ahead is no small task. As such, we are passionate that systemic transformation requires local innovation. This is simply not possible without genuine, purpose-driven partnerships that enable community-driven solutions, which are far more effective than top-down approaches. Experience has shown that a deep understanding of local context and tapping into local expertise and knowledge are critical to sustainable innovation. We passionately believe that partnerships between
financial institutions, communities, and environmental organisations are essential in the giant wheel of achieving the UN SDGs and realising a bright, hopeful future.
This all sounds great. But it is important that commitment to sustainability extends beyond rhetoric. At Nedbank, we hold ourselves accountable to action with significant investments in transformative initiatives that address critical environmental and social challenges. There are 2 key projects – Kusini Water and the uMzimvubu Catchment Partnership (UCP) – that are a direct result of a deliberate decision to take a hands-on approach to building the future we want to see.
Water scarcity threatens not only the lives of millions of people currently, but also presents a nightmarish future as envisioned by AI's 2100 model. This is precisely why Nedbank has supported Kusini Water, which is revolutionising water access through cutting-edge technology and community-driven solutions.
Founded by Murendeni Mafumo, Kusini Water provides sustainable, safe water to underserved communities. Through support from the bank, the organisation has been able to expand its reach, deploying solar-powered filtration systems that harness nanotechnology to purify water efficiently and sustainably. And one of the most exciting spinoffs of clean, running water is the economic activity that follows.
The project has already produced 1 508 kilolitres of water, supported over 80 enterprises, and upskilled 200 individuals, creating employment opportunities. This is precisely how localised interventions build long-term sustainability.
Securing water access is critical, but protecting natural water sources is equally important. Another initiative is the UCP, which is in collaboration with WWF and local stakeholders. The UCP is working to restore one of South Africa's most vital river systems. The degradation of water catchment areas threatens both biodiversity and community livelihoods. By restoring ecosystems and promoting sustainable land management, we can safeguard water security for local communities and downstream economies.
With Nedbank's investment in this initiative, degraded landscapes in the Eastern Cape are being restored, improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and securing livelihoods for local communities. The programme has successfully protected 45 natural springs, supplying clean and reliable water to over 42 000 people, while integrating sustainable farming and rangeland management practices to create economic opportunities.
As important as these initiatives are, they are but a drop in the ocean. This is a clarion call to other corporates, stakeholders, and individuals to join in the efforts of achieving the UN SDGs. The task at hand may seem gargantuan. It certainly won't be easy or quick, but there is no way around it. We have to act now. We can start imperfectly, but it is important that everyone who hasn't yet started join us now.
Nedbank's YouthX Top 10 winner, Ngangelizwe Mathunjwa, founder of Aero Greens, an agritech startup using sustainable and soil-less vertical farming to reduce water use, encouraged delegates at the launch to find people who share the same vision. His call is for us to focus on solving real problems for real people.
As a bank, we appreciate the importance of developing financial literacy in all the communities we serve, and to continue partnering with purpose-driven organisations to create collaborative and innovative funding models that can drive real change.
Sustainability is not a distant goal but an urgent, collaborative redesign of how we interact with our environment and each other. We have not missed the goals – but we must act now to ensure that the South Africa of 2100 is a place we want our children and grandchildren to live in.