Ntombi Mpofu is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of History. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Africa University and a B.A. in history and M.A. in history from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her Ph.D. research investigates the history of water in South Africa focusing on the roots and causes of water scarcity, an issue that is currently threatening water security in the country. In the midst of the foreboding threat of “day zero“, a situation when most taps will be switched off — literally — her research examines the history behind limited water supply while taking into consideration predicted increased variability and persistently high levels of social inequality. In a context in which South Africa is likely to address an increased variability in its water supply, the research investigates factors such as changing use patterns and habits, infrastructure provision and decline, institutional responses, industrial demands, and climate change. She has research and teaching experience from higher education institutions in both South Africa and the United States.