Water Shortage Initiative: be a hero and give a bottle of water

POLOKWANE- As the country continues to be ravaged by heatwaves, the drought situation in South Africa continues to worsen as five out of the nine provinces, including Limpopo, have been declared disaster areas.

Many of the provinces are also experiencing water scarcity problems. Small scale livestock and crop farmers in Limpopo have experienced loss because of the recent heat and the lack of rain with some saying they have received little assistance from government.

The drought has now brought South Africans together with the start of the Water Shortage South Africa Initiative, in which volunteers have set up networks within towns, cities and villages in South Africa to donate, collect and transport water to disaster areas. The water then gets transported to different destinations in and around drought and water stricken areas within the country in the hope of bringing some relief.

If you would like to get involved, fill up any existing bottles or extra containers that you have (except dairy containers) and deliver them to your nearest ‘Drop Off Station’.

Crown Seeds

Lezelle Smit of Crown Seeds says that people can drop off their containers there. “People can mark off on the containers whether the water is drinking water (DW) or tank water (TW), that way we can separate the two.”

Eagles Nest Christian School

Another drop off station is at Eagles Nest Christian School. “We challenge schools and businesses in Polokwane to make a drop off box for water bottles and ask customers or parents to donate 2l water bottles with tap water. We are aiming to fill a truck with water bottles which will leave in mid February to distribute to people in need,” explains Frouwine Mare.

They also encourage people to contact them… “if you can help with the containers, we have people willing to pump 10 000 liters from their boreholes.”

If you wish to help, you can contact Frouwine Mare on 0798919861.