Old Mutual installs borehole for Shoba

On July 12 Shoba, Old Mutual and Operation Hydrate continued their proactive response to the crippling drought affecting many communities in the country, by installing a borehole in the Shoba area in Vryheid.

The borehole was installed by Eeze-Water, and they also provided all the technical guidance on the selection of the site, on land owned by Mr Siphiwe Sibaya, based on its abundance of underground water.
Old Mutual, through the Old Mutual Foundation, made a donation of R200 000 towards Operation Hydrate to enable the delivery of bottled water to those who have been experiencing severe water shortages during the devastating drought.

The official opening of the borehole was attended by members of the community, including Mr Mhlanga, a representative from the Local Councillor’s office, and Captain Mncwango from the Hlobane Police Station, as well as Old Mutual Area Manager Joseph Mtshali, Millicent Maroga (Head of the Old Mutual Foundation), and Fayyaz Moosa (Chairman of Operation Hydrate).

Old Mutual partnered with Operation Hydrate because the purpose of this initiative resonates with Old Mutual’s commitment to being a responsible business and a company that invests in the well being of the communities in which it operates.

Old Mutual employees donated a further R20 000 towards the Operation Hydrate water collection drive and additional funding was raised through several sporting events sponsored by Old Mutual, including the Old Mutual ‘Om die Dam’ Marathon and Old Mutual ‘Joberg2c’ mountain biking challenge.

Through Old Mutual’s donation to Operation Hydrate, a total of approximately 8000 5Lt bottles have already been delivered to various drought-stricken communities.
Old Mutual’s sister company Mutual & Federal donated an additional R150 000 to supply Gift of the Givers with bottled water and fund a borehole installation, while Nedbank, also part of the Old Mutual Group, contributed R350 000 to AgriFund to support farmers badly impacted by the drought.