Keep donating water, requests campaign
Operation Hydrate says it will continue with its humanitarian efforts
OPERATION Hydrate has called on South Africans to continue donating water “because the drought continues to affect millions of people and could get worse”. This was said at a World Water Day event at the V&A Waterfront yesterday.
Operation Hydrate co-founder Yusuf Abramjee said 12.4 million litres of drinking water had been distributed to five provinces since January. He said pledges had been received for 22 boreholes, nine of which were ready to pump water.
“This drought is far from over. We continue to get calls for drinking water from many affected areas and we will continue our humanitarian efforts,” Abramjee said.
A water drive launched in the city by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his foundation on March 1 had collected more than 1.3 million litres of water.
“The goodwill from South Africans is amazing. The spirit of Ubuntu continues to live. Let’s continue to make a difference and help those in need. Let’s make every day a Mandela Day.”
The Table Bay Hotel donated R10 000 to Operation Hydrate and SAB Cape Town region donated 60 000 litres of water.
Abramjee said schools, churches, mosques, sporting bodies and several companies had donated water.
Operation Hydrate was aiming to enter Guinness World Records on Mandela Day, July 18, by collecting more than 8.5 million litres of water in 24 hours.
Mayor Patricia De Lille said dam levels were about 36 percent and falling fast.
She called on Capetonians to use water sparingly. “If we don’t save water we may be in trouble and will have to ask Operation Hydrate to assist. Do your bit now and save water.”
Premier Helen Zille also took an undertaking to raise awareness about saving water by collaborating with YouTube sensation, Suzelle DIY.
The pair created a YouTube video where they share water saving tips.
MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell has also called on people to save water.
“Given the continued pressure on water resources in the Western Cape, we continue to raise awareness around saving water. We are excited about the impact this campaign may have in getting people to be more water wise.”
Hotels, often among the highest water consumers, have also taken steps to promote water wise behaviour.
The Westin Hotel in Cape Town, part of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts group, reported its average water usage a month last year as 4.5 million litres at 65 percent occupancy, which is equivalent to more than 56 000 bathtubs of water a month.
The hotel launched its “Make a Green Choice” programme, which encourages guests to conserve water by way of declining housekeeping services in exchange for R85 off their next restaurant bill, or earn points that are donated to Unicef.
Westin executive manager Rob Kucera said one night without housekeeping saved up to 185 485 litres of water across the hotel.
“South African businesses have a responsibility to do what they can in the drive to conserve water. Further to the Westin Hotel in Cape Town, other Fedhasa members continue to put water and energy-saving programmes in place and what’s really motivating is to see how eager the public are to comply and help where possible.”
THE GOODWILL FROM SOUTH AFRICANS IS AMAZING. THE SPIRIT OF UBUNTU CONTINUES. LET’S CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HELP THOSE IN NEED