The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, today joined 'Operation Hydrate' in a send-off ceremony of water collected over the last week for the benefit of drought stricken communities in our country.
'Operation Hydrate' is a civil society based initiative that has mobilised the support of citizens, business and other civil society organization in support of a water collection drive for the benefit of people and animals in areas affected by the drought.
Minister Mokonyane at the start of the campaign on 29 January 2016 announced a pledge from the National Lotteries Board to support the initiative with an amount of R 50 million which would be directed to the provision of water, refurbishment of boreholes and water tankering to mitigate the effects of drought in affected areas.
Today, 'Operation Hydrate' announced that a total of 6,1 million litres of water had been collected and over 41 super-link trucks departed from FNB Stadium headed to various areas in the North-, KwaZulu-Natal and Free-State to deliver over 1,5 million litres of water this weekend.
"As government we commend the work done by operation hydrate and other organisations in joining hands with government to assist people living in drought affected areas. It is again a reflection of the people we are in South Africa, an affirmation that 'Ubuntu' remains a value espoused by many of our people. Water is life and knows no politics. The drought itself is a natural phenomenon that requires government, civil-society, business and citizens to join hands in order to mitigate its effects"
"What has been most encouraging is to see school children and young people taking an active lead in this initiative. It is a reflection we are indeed building a caring-society now and for the future." said Minister Mokonyane.
Over the last year, since the drought began, the government has intervened in a number of provinces to support citizens and farmers in particular to better manage the effects. These efforts were further strengthened with the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drought in November 2015, to coordinate a government wide response to drought.
"We will continue with our own interventions as government to ensure citizens in drought-hit areas receive water via our water tankers. Our refurbishment of boreholes is on-going and the maintenance of infrastructure to prevent water-losses through leaks will continue" added Minister Mokonyane.
The country over the last three weeks has experienced rains in a number of areas that have led to very slight increases in dam levels in certain province. The impact however has been very minimal and has had no major effect on dam levels.
"We encourage South Africans to continue using water wisely and to harvest rain water where possible but not to assume that the rains as seen with the naked eye have now led us out of the drought. Be responsible, water remains a scarce resource" says Minister Mokonyane.
For more media enquiries contact :
Mlimandlela Ndamase, Ministerial Spokesperson
Cell: 083 480 0014
