Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

20 January 2025

2-minute read

Concern abounds with the water crisis in the Garden Route, particularly in Knysna, where Gift of the Givers has stepped in to deliver up to a hundred thousand litres of water per day.

The crisis in the Western Cape stretches at least 350km, and as far away as about 250km in Ladysmith, the team has been digging boreholes to assist the neighbouring towns.

According to representative Mario Ferreira, “there’s a very heavy feeling around Knysna” with the situation being critical as they aim to “miss day zero” after some rainfall extended the period. With some businesses having to shut down due to the continuous drought, others like the building industry in and around the region are extremely worried about their longevity.

The organisation has placed numerous water tankers at strategic points across Knysna, and are delivering water to hospitals and clinics, schools, old age homes, SAPS, and even correctional services. Water to fill the tankers are coming from boreholes 20km’s outside the town.

“If only we could have a balance,” laments Mario when referring to the dual challenge between flooding in other parts of the country and the drought in the Garden Route. Local people are blaming the municipality and the politicians who care more about their own salaries than they do about the people. Adding to the problem is the “serious infrastructure works that needs to be done” in the town.

“You can’t turn down resources in situations like these,” Mario concludes, pointing out that as many disaster relief organisations as possible are required to assist in bringing in additional water tankers to the region to alleviate the crisis.

Listen to the full interview with Mario Ferreira and Ml Sulaimaan Ravat here.