Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2016-01-24

The Nelson Mandela Foundation Operation, Hydrate and Proudly South African are joining forces to launch the country’s biggest water drive in an effort to bring much needed relief to communities in drought stricken areas.
 
South Africa remains in the grip of its worst drought in over 100 years with no immediate prospects of the situation abating.

While 2015 has been recorded as the driest year on record, recent weeks have seen record breaking temperatures claim several lives

With many Dams and rivers continuing to recede and taps running dry communities are pleading for urgent help.

Operation Hydrates Yaseen Theba says while the organisation has distributed over 3 million litres of water, it’s still not enough.
 
“While we work on long-term strategies for drought relief and water provision, we cannot ignore the immediate needs of South Africans who are dying of thirst. We need to all continue to join hands to ensure that we get water to where it’s most needed.”

CEO of The Nelson Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang says they are honoured to be associated with an initiative in which South Africans, in a moment of crisis, help vulnerable fellow citizens.

“This is precisely the call that Madiba made when he said ‘it is in your hands’. Operation Hydrate is a call for all of us to respond to keeping Nelson Mandela’s legacy alive. We know it’s a small gesture but every drop counts to help destitute communities who have no drinking water.”

Proudly SA’s CEO, Adv. Leslie Sedibe says they are calling on South Africans to once again be of service to humanity and respond to the basic needs of our fellow South Africans.

“Let’s contribute and make every day a Mandela Day! We cannot, in good conscience, sit back and do nothing when people are dying of thirst.”

Due to health and safety regulations, no tap or borehole water can be accepted as drinking water.

Operation Hydrate’s Yusuf Abramjee said: “A local water company, Thirsti, will also be selling bottles of water on site at cost price, for those who wish to visit the Foundation on the day and contribute to the humanitarian cause. A 5 litre bottle will be sold at R10 and a box will cost R40. Only cash will be accepted on site.”

The “Water Drive” with Operation Hydrate, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Proudly South African is expected to begin from Friday, 29 January to Sunday 31 January 2015.

Water drop-off times will commence from 09h00am-17h00pm on all three days.

Members of the public and corporate South Africa are invited to drop off sealed 5 litre bottles of drinking water during the three-day “Water Drive” at the Nelson Mandela Foundation at 107 Central Street, in Houghton, Johannesburg. Trucks will be on standby.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)