Locals have opened their hearts, joining to assist in the water crisis Capetonians are facing, due to a severe drought in the region.
Cape Town may be the first major city in the world that is set to run out of water in less than 100 days. Due to a three-year drought in the Western Cape region, experts predict that the city is fast approaching “Day Zero” on April 21. On Day Zero the city will be forced to cut off water supply to more than one million households, with the city imposing water restrictions of 50 litres a day per person.
In these challenging times, it is always good to hear of those from the business sector, NGO’s and even individuals, rising to the challenge and offering their help. One of the NGO’s involved is the Gift of the Givers Foundation, which embarked on a drive to collect water locally, on Saturday, February 3, for the drought stricken Cape Town region. Quick to respond to this initiative, locally owned supermarket, Kwikspar Erasmia, discounted bottled water to R10 per 5litre, to assist with Operation Cape Town.
The water-drive officially kicked off last Saturday at 10am. Speaking to the Laudium Sun, Baboo Carrim of Kwikspar Erasmia said they were indeed heartened to receive such a phenomenal response from the Laudium, Erasmia and surrounding communities, collecting just over 25 000 litres of water. “Together with my staff, I would like to thank the community members who came together to support this important initiative, and who helped to make it such a successful one. We could not have done it without you.”
Kwikspar had the Gift of the Givers' truck stationed at the store from 10am until 6pm on Saturday, where patrons purchased gallons of water that was packed straight onto the truck, ready for delivery to Cape Town.
Meanwhile, government has yet to decide whether to declare the drought in the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape, a national disaster.
It was, however, officially declared the worst in recorded history to have hit the region. Relief organisations across the country continue to lobby to provide water supplies to the people of Cape Town.
Kwikspar Erasmia personnel were only too happy to assist with the loading of another pallet of water
Water bottles donated by residents, being loaded onto the Gift of the Givers truck.