Westdene and Sophiatown unite to collect water for Cape Town

Over the last while, South Africa has been experiencing water difficulties and Cape Town has experienced the worst drought in its history.

Being the kind of communities Westdene and Sophiatown are, residents took it upon themselves to collect clean water to be taken to Cape Town to assist in the relief effort.

The Westdene-Sophiatown Residents’ Association (WSRA) collected bottled water during their first community market on 27 January.

WSRA chairperson, Dauw Steyn, said the association collected 171 five-litre bottles of water and 32 two-litre bottles during the drive.

He explained that the water was collected to be given to a local Apostolic faith mission church to be transported to Ellis Park where water donations were dropped off to be transported down to Cape Town.

Steyn said that this is just the first of what’s to come as more collections will be done, however, those drop-off points have yet to be announced.

“Once we can establish who’s going to be on board and get permission to store bottles at the different locations, then we’ll announce the drop-off points,” Steyn said.

He explained that the only place that would be a constant is the Westdene Recreation Centre during the community market which takes place on the last Saturday of each month.

Steyn said they would work with Operation Hydrate, an organisation the WSRA worked with during 2016 when there was a water drive.

While Cape Town has its own extreme water restrictions, Joburgers should not forget the city’s Level 1 water restrictions.

Under Level 1 restrictions, residents are only allowed to water their gardens between 6pm and 6am and are prohibited from using a water hose to clean paved areas and driveways.

How Joburgers can save water during Level 1 restrictions:

• Collect and use grey water for the outdoors
• Take short showers
• Turn off faucets while brushing teeth and shaving.

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