Millions injected to flood relief aid efforts

Vodacom has donated R3-million to Gift of the Givers to aid relief efforts aimed at helping scores of people affected by the devastating floods.

The money will assist with food, blankets, water and toiletries.

ALSO READ: 8 ways you can help victims of the #kznfloods

Heavy rains that began on Friday, 8 April caused extensive damage and widespread flooding, with many people losing their homes and belongings, and even losing loved ones.

Many people’s homes were destroyed by the heavy rains and flooding, while hundreds of people have been evacuated forcing them to find shelter in community halls and churches.

Takalani Netshitenzhe, director of external affairs for Vodacom South Africa, said the devastation, human displacement and loss of life and property caused by the floods is a serious tragedy.

‘Our R3-million donation is aimed at supplementing efforts by provincial government and will be used to provide food hampers, blankets, sanitary towels, bottled water, baby food and nappies for affected families.

‘This amount is over and above our business-as-usual financial commitment to ensure access to communication by restoring the sites and the network.’

The KZN regional team has been steadfast in ensuring the communication network is restored as quickly as possible, to ensure affected people are not cut off from the rest of the world.

By deploying generators to certain accessible sites, 150 of the 400 affected sites are now operational. Engineers are working around the clock to restore connectivity as quickly and safely as possible.

‘As a locally grown company, it is part of our purpose-led business approach to provide aid to uplift humanity whenever the need arises.

‘This is part of our social contract to use our resources in partnership with government and other social partners to respond to some of the most pressing needs in communities in which we operate,’ said Netshitenzhe.