With South Africa currently experiencing a devastating drought that has seen livestock dying in many areas and local farmers on their knees, unable to water or feed their livestock or plant their crops, things came to a head in December.
Thankfully there are those who care for others, including our farmers, and a group of good Samaritans, NGO’s, religious groups and companies formed a project called “Operation Hydrate,” with a view to saving lives and easing the suffering of thousands of South Africans, regardless of religion, race, creed or geographical area.
Operation Hydrate Initiative SA has already delivered millions of litres of water to drought-stricken areas all over the country, and will do much more. Around 350 000 litres of water have already been distributed to affected towns in the Free State and Eastern Cape, and there is tons more being shipped via huge trucks on a daily basis.
This is not government that is doing this, but this is civil society determined to look after each other, being humane and collecting water at various collection points after urgent calls for water were put out by several desperate communities; some of whom had even resorted to drinking sewerage water.
According to Operation Hydrate co-ordinator, Yaseen Theba, the situation on the ground is distressing and communities in affected areas are desperate. “We cannot sit idly by and watch our fellow South Africans die of thirst. As civil society we have the power to make a difference and help those in need when we unite around a common cause such as this. People have been queuing for drinking water. The joy on the faces of those who have been receiving drinking water is remarkable and most humbling. Many have not had water for weeks. Water is life and together we are making a difference in the lives of our fellow countrymen and women,” he said.
The goodwill and generosity shown by South Africans from all walks of life has been absolutely remarkable, with ordinary individuals digging deep into their pockets, donating bottles and bottles of water for total strangers.
“Every donor and volunteer truly embodies the spirit of being Proudly South African, with Ubuntu being at the heart of this relief operation,” said Theba.
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