R5 million raised in just 2 weeks – Good Morning Angles supporters show up with immense heart after devasting fires destroyed at least 100-thousand hectares of precious land, crops, and farm infrastructure!
Johannesburg, South Africa (13 November 2020) – Two weeks ago, Jacaranda FM listeners astonished the farming community with their overwhelming generosity towards fire-ravaged farming communities in the Western Free State… and Good Things Guy readers helped too!
Former Springbok legend and farmer, Bakkies Botha appealed to Jacaranda FM listeners to support these communities and his mission to take much-needed feed and assistance to the Western Free State, while Good Things Guy supported the campaign by asking our readers to donate as well.
Raging wildfires have destroyed nearly 100 000ha of farmland in the western Free State, burning down homes and wrecking food supplies.
The fires reportedly started on Sunday, the 18th of October when service delivery protesters burned tyres on the R708 road between Hertzogville and Christiana.
In South Africa, farming is the biggest commercial source of food. Farmers feed our nation daily. Drought in South Africa is busy taking its toll; farmers are giving up, crying for help just to keep their animals alive for a bit longer.
On Friday morning, the Jacaranda FM “Good Morning Angels” donated R50 000 to get the ball rolling, to assist farmers in the Free State who have been brought to their knees by devastating fires.
This was to answer a call by former Springbok lock, Bakkies Botha who appealed to Jacaranda FM listeners to support a convoy of trucks, loaded with fodder and feed for cattle and livestock, that could be brought to safety as well as veterinarian medical supplies to treat burnt animals. Interim figures show that 300 heads of cattle died in the fires.
“On Wednesday 11 November, we announced that Good Morning Angels raised R 4 055 000, with a special donation from Andre Erasmus and his network of over 40 friends of a further R945 000; making the total amount raised R 5 000 000 in just over two weeks. It’s a spectacular gesture of humanity, and more importantly – our community knows that by helping our farmers, we are future-proofing our families lives as well.” Comments Martin Bester – Jacaranda FM Breakfast Drive Presenter.
Botha will lead a convoy of trucks filled with feed from Johannesburg to various drop-off points on Saturday, 14 November.
“Mr Gys Olivier, Chairman of the Hertzogville Farmers Union will distribute aid according to farmers’ needs. Donations will also be used to purchase fire-fighting equipment so that we can ensure that this level of devastation never impacts our farmers again,” said Bakkies Botha.
The same process and principals of insurance will be followed: to restore the situation that the farmer was is before the fires. The damage will be checked on satellite maps provided from 2 companies. The process is aligned with the Free State Agri Union.
Tune in to the ‘Breakfast with Martin Bester‘, weekdays from 06:00 – 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
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