‘Drought is everyone’s problem’
Durban resident calls for water donations in hard-hit areas
DURBAN resident Ray de Vries is calling on people travelling from KwaZuluNatal to drop off containers of water in areas in the Free State hit hard by the drought.
KZN and the Free State were declared drought disaster areas, and as the water crisis in the country worsens, De Vries has taken it upon himself to do something about it.
He was touched by the news of an Eastern Cape farmer who committed suicide because of the drought. When most people were gearing up to celebrate New Year, De Vries filled his 4x4 vehicle with containers of water and drove to the Free State to distribute it.
His experience in the Free State has been a sad one, seeing dying animals and crops, and people who have not had running water for days.
“I have never in my life experienced such desolation and hopelessness, in the animals and the people. I met a desperate local on a bicycle. I saw an ostrich that was standing next to where there once was a dam. In fact, the bottom was still muddy. It has been a long time since I have set off on a journey nervous. I was (actually) scared of what I might find,” said De Vries.
De Vries has seen children crying for water and competing with cattle to drink dirty water. An old age home he visited has not had water for a month.
He has been driving around the province dropping off water, but it is not enough for everyone.
Drop-off points are at Leechastraat 60 in Winburg, Harrismith N12 Sentra Garage, Bethlehem Silverton Radiators and Newcastle Engen/Toyota garage.
“So far the support from people has been overwhelming. Those who still wish to assist can check my Facebook page. I left uMhlanga Rocks and went through the Midlands up to Harrismith, and the drop-off point there was full. I then went to Bethlehem and there’s enough water there. I went to Senekal, where there is absolutely no water at all. We have now managed to get some help there – people coming from holidays in Durban are already starting to drop off there, but we still need more. I am now in Winburg (where) the situation is also bad. There is no water for about 30 000 residents – it is critical,” said De Vries.
Although he comes from a province that is also hit by the drought, De Vries said he had also been assisting on the North and South coasts of KZN, and that was why he was moving to other areas as well.
“Assisting people in the Free State does not mean I have forgotten about my own province, I have been assisting where I could at home. The water shortage is a problem for everyone. We need to help each other and this is a matter of life and death.
“I visited an old age home where they had not had water from the tap for 28 days. The water that gets donated goes into a tank and the matron opens it for a few minutes for toilets and washing,” he said.
More than 35 000 litres have been dropped off so far and volunteers distribute it to hospitals and old age homes.