The 2026 Spring Day celebrations have sparked controversy and prompted a national discussion about youth behaviour.
The discussion began after viral videos showed community members, including elderly people, being splashed with water.
The long-standing water-splashing tradition, intended to be harmless, has also caught the attention of the Department of Water and Sanitation, which has since issued a statement cautioning against unnecessary water wastage.
“The Department has observed with deep concern how much water is sometimes used during Spring Day celebrations. In a country where communities face water challenges, deliberately wasting water for entertainment is concerning and highlights the need to change how water is valued and used,” said department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa.
She also expressed concern about the timing of the celebrations amid predictions of El Niño-related conditions.
“These can bring higher temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and drier conditions in some parts of the country. They can place additional pressure on already limited water resources and make responsible water use even more important,” Mavasa said.
The department appealed for collaboration among parents, educators and community leaders to promote water-saving habits.
It also condemned the humiliation and forced participation of people in public water-splashing activities without their permission, describing such conduct as a violation of their right to dignity.
