The years of severe drought combined with municipal mismanagement across the Eastern Cape threaten the already fragile food security – South Africans need to rally together to Save Gqeberha From Day Zero.
Gqeberha, South Africa (19 August 2022) – Day Zero is a terrifying reality that residents of Gqeberha could soon face. Fast-tracked by drought and poor municipal infrastructure, “Day Zero” marks the moment that local dams and taps run dry.
The province is on red alert, reducing its water consumption and containing leaks; without immediate and drastic intervention, Day Zero will continue to loom. The threat of this water catastrophe will lead to serious implications for the country’s ability to produce food resources and sustain its population.
“The years of severe drought combined with municipal mismanagement across the Eastern Cape threaten South Africa’s already fragile food security. Residents are forced to rely on roaming tankers where they collect their daily water supply to drink, cook, wash clothes, and bathe in,” adds Andy Du Plessis, Managing Director of FoodForward South Africa (FFSA).
FoodForward SA is calling on all South Africans to take part in its national campaign to collect 100,000 litres of water. The non-profit organisation has a growing fleet of refrigerated trucks that collect quality surplus food from supply chain partners – like farmers, manufacturers, and retailers – and redistributes it to under-served communities. This helps nourish more than 800,000 people every day.
Du Plessis says, “our trucks collect and distribute food across all nine of South Africa’s provinces. With this kind of logistical footprint at our disposal, we know we can help by transporting much-needed water to Gqeberha.”
Here is how you can get involved:
1) Drop off a 5L sealed bottle of water at a FoodForward SA distribution near you (available across all 9 provinces). Click here for more information.
2) Drop off a 5L sealed bottle of water at one of these participating schools: - Buccleuch Primary School – Parkville Pl, Woodmead, Johannesburg - Robin Hills Primary School – 13 Kalk Ave, Randpark, Randburg - Pinnacle College – 11 Candican Road, Barbeque Downs, Midrand - Eden College Durban – Dan Pienaar Rd & Wanless Road, Glenwood, Durban
3) Donating R20 via SnapScan, Zapper, EFT, or PayPal, and FFSA will purchase a sealed 5L bottle of water on your behalf.
“With the help of the public, I have no doubt we will be able to meet our target of 100 000 litres. When put to good use, these donations can go a long way in relieving the limited water supply – every litre counts!” concludes Du Plessis.
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