8 Intermediate Phase: Economic Management Sciences

Rands & Sense Will water be the most valuable resource on Earth in the future? Did you know?Water is one of the most vital resources on Earth. Every living thing needs water to survive. Without it, the Earth will die. We must use water as wisely as we save and look after our money. Some people even say that in the future water will become as valuable as oil and gold because it will be so scarce and so valuable. Isn’t that amazing? South Africa isclassifiedasasemi-drycountryandmanypeopledonothaveenoughwater.Itisveryimportant that we must not waste water.

LO4: ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSThe learner will be able to demonstrate entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Let’s learn a lesson from natureNature doesn’t waste water. We can learn about conserving water from looking at the living things around us. Take a look at some examples of this:

In order to use water wisely and to avoid overheating, the Gemsbok spends most of his day in the shade and inactive (not moving much). The Gemsbok then eats for long periods at night when it is cooler. The vegetation at night also has a higher moisture (water) content, so the Gemsbok gets more water from it than he would if he ate during the day. Isn’t that a clever way of using water wisely?

Toktokkie beetles know about using water wisely. This clever beetle has worked out a way of trapping water from the moisture in the air (fog). He does a ‘headstand’ that collects condensed dew which runs down his body and into his mouth. Like the Gemsbok, the Toktokkie is active at night rather than during the day.

Put your entrepreneurial skills to workPretend that it is the year 2020 and water is increasingly scarce and therefore valuable. You are going to design an advert to sell water. Answer the questions below to get started:

•Thinkaboutwaterastheproductyoumustsell.Whatarethespecialfeaturesofwaterthatyoucan market?

•Whowouldyourcustomerbe–i.e.whowillwant/needtobuywater?•Howwillyougetpeopletobuyyourwaterratherthansomeoneelse’s? Think about how people

market different types of cold drinks.•Whatisyourmarketingplan?

Design your advert and present it to the class. Your advert can be for print, radio or TV.Your educator can assess your advert to check your entrepreneurial skills.

DON’T WASTE

WATER

Talk about what lessons you have learnt about using water wisely from the Gemsbok and the Toktokkie beetle. Write down your ideas:

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Do you know of any plants that have developed unique ways of using water wisely?Write down your ideas:

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