Riverview joins SA water initiative

MALALANE – Riverview Prep School recently became one of many South African establishments to climb on board to bring relief to farmers who are affected by severe drought. The water collected at the school will distributed to two non-profit organisations called Farmers in Need in and Water Shortages South Africa (WSSA). Both of these Facebook drives were started because of the drought-stricken regions, especially in the Free State.

Within 26 days of the first Facebook request sent to holidaymakers by WSSA urging them to drop off water, over three-million litres was transported to areas where it was most needed.

“The need for assistance will long outlast the existing drought, and the need is becoming greater by the day,” said

Ms Samantha Corbett, organiser of the project. The school has embarked on a six-month initiative.

“Farmers need rain for their crops to grow, but the recent rain is not enough to break the drought cycle. With the arrival of winter the need will be greater as a crop shortage is expected,” explained Corbett.

And this is why they became involved. She is of the opinion that if we all lend a hand, we can make a difference.

“The lack of animal feed will have a dire effect on our food security as we can already see a rise in prices.”

Even though the Free State is the hardest hit by the drought, Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo are also feeling the brunt.

There are a number of ways that you can contribute, one of which is dropping off water in containers at Riverview Prep School, daily between 07:00 and 14:30.

Water should be marked DW for drinking water, and TW for tank water to be used for animal consumption and household usage.

They also urge locals to deliver clean containers to Riverview to be filled and distributed.

Money donations can also be made directly to Boere in Nood or WSSA. Pick n Pay Malelane also has a collection point in store where funds can be donated, which will then be used to purchase and deliver resources to the school.

So far, just over a 1 500 litres of bottled drinking water have been collected.

Once enough is collected, Skankane Transport will then provide free transport to the WSSA depot.

“Our community are real troopers,” said Corbett. Local farmers have donated between 5 000 and 40 000 litres of drinkable borehole water.

“Pledges and donations have also come in from Pick n Pay Malelane, Impala Butchery, Tomahawk Farms, Marula Landgoed, Bekfontein Boerdery and Pure Water in Komatipoort.

“As a school and community we are sensitive to the water restrictions in place in our own towns. But we at least have water to drink, to shower and to keep our homes clean.”

If there are any bulk-tanker services in the area which would like to donate a tanker that can accommodate large amounts of water, they can do so by contacting Corbett on

083-427-4082.

If you are aware of a community in need, the same number can be contacted.