Conveying Science through Art: The Case of a Polluted Urban Stream in Johannesburg, South Africa

Water issues have become complex and interconnected with many factors and sectors, making them too large to be handled by one single institution. Water problems can no longer be resolved solely by water professionals, the water science they provide is essential to resolve the water crisis, but the effectiveness of the solutions depends on the capability of the scientists to provide new, logical and practical visions to improve water systems, governance and communication. As part of Integrated Water Resource Management and Public Participation the current research aimed to address the knowledge gap that exists between the General Public and the Scientists by using applied theater, particularly empatheater to improve how scientific information is communicated. R-Studio was used to evaluate the effectiveness applying theater to communicate and educate the community on water resource management. Results revealed that using art to convey science is an effective environmental communication tool highly recommended by the participants to promote public participation in the rehabilitation of the Kaalspruit River.