Operation Hydrate appeals to public to fund drilling of boreholes

THE CITIZEN-led Operation Hydrate has appealed to the public to donate money for the drilling of boreholes in the country’s drought-affected areas.

“Boreholes are now a top priority for us,” said Operation Hydrate’s Yaseen Theba.

“It provides for much-needed long-term sustainability and we need to drill many more without delay.”

Operation Hydrate, which was established in January to bring relief to areas worst affected by drought, has allocated more than R1.2 million for the drilling of an initial 15 boreholes.

The first five of these are nearing completion and are being funded by a partnership between Operation Hydrate and the AlImdaad Foundation. They are expected to be completed in time for Water Week, from March 17 to 23.

These first boreholes are in Nongoma, Ulundi, Vryheid, and Edumbe, which are all in the Zululand District of KwaZulu-Natal.

Additional boreholes have already been commissioned, three in partnership with the Jamiatul-Ulama Gauteng, one near Danhauser in Hattingspruit, KZN, and others in Modimolle, Limpopo, and Swartruggens in the North West.

“We are also finalising plans to start drilling in other drought-affected areas, including parts of the Free State and Northern Cape,” said Theba.

Operation Hydrate’s Yusuf Abramjee said the average cost of a borehole is R85 000.

“This includes all secondary costs such as the required pumps, tanks, fencing, maintenance, etc. In some areas, we also have to go deeper depending on the water streams and this increases costs,” he said, urging corporates and the public to donate towards boreholes. Donors who contribute the full R85 000 can also have their names inscribed at the borehole sites.

The appeal is being made despite the recent announcement by Minister of Water Affairs Nomvula Mokonyane that the National Lottery Board was to donate R50m for various drought-related projects. Operation Hydrate said that the donation had not yet materialised.

Those wishing to donate money towards the drilling of boreholes are asked to e-mail info@operationhydrate.co.za for details and pledges. – ANA