De desalination plants are not, as has been asserted elsewhere, a short term fix. Any more than any other way - aqueducts/dams/boreholes - of getting fresh water to where its needed, are.

There are various technologies available, at varying costs. Providing adequate water for the Cape's burgeoning population is a simple matter of what people are prepared to spend to achieve it, plus basic cost benefit analysis and engineering.

It is accepted that basic cost benefit analysis and engineering are, in fact, beyond the comprehension of any government in the world, except perhaps China, let alone the ANC/DA...

One is reminded of the Great Stink...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Stink