#StrongerTogether: Food relief arrives for more than 40 000 North Coast people

More than 40 000 people locally will receive aid in the wake of the unrest that left many people unable to secure basic supplies and food.

Farmers, non-profit organisations (NPO) and charities countrywide rallied to deliver and distribute more than 38 tons of food and necessities to the North Coast this week.

Johannesburg residents Simone Pillay and Sean Wheeler were 2 of the primary organisers, who launched into action after seeing the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal from afar.

“On Friday, July 16, I began to make calls to see what level of aid and support we would be able to get. By Wednesday, July 21, two superlink trucks were filled and ready to go,” said Pillay, who works for Trafigura, a commodities trading company in Johannesburg.

A partnership between Trafigura, Puma Energy and Impala Terminals meant that the aid was able to be organised swiftly, with Pillay and Wheeler controlling the operation.

“Trafigura has a charity wing that opened in 2007 and it has been doing some amazing work worldwide. They said they would match whatever we raised and the result was more than 34 tons of aid,” said Pillay.

The challenge after raising the funds was to find a supplier that was open and could handle such a large order, particularly as Gauteng had also been hit by riots and looting.

Unitrans were able to step in and help, supplying non-perishables, hygiene products, baby formula and pet food which have now been distributed to the people hardest hit.

It was important that the aid was distributed both equitably and in a controlled manner.

The iLembe NPO Forum was asked to assist and they brought NPO leaders together to find the best way forward.

The Linc Foundation, Vision 153, the Rise Up Movement and a number of prominent NPOs were represented.

IPSS Electronic Security, the Ballito Neighbourhood Watch and representatives of local taxi associations joined hands to secure the aid while it was stored in a warehouse at Laguna Seca.

Finally, DC Move IT handled the transport of the goods once they were sorted into individual packs.

“It has been run with military precision. We thought it might take a whole week to sort out, but with the help of all the volunteers, we are hoping to finish by Wednesday, July 28, ensuring quick delivery to those who most need it,” said Lesley Forrest of Vision 153. 

She estimated that more than 30 volunteers had helped out by Monday, with more expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

During the same week, farmers in Heidelberg and transport company owner and Ballito resident, Buddie Lebenon were organising another 4.2 tons of food to help the relief effort.

“While on guard duty in Ballito, I heard that Trope Farms, Fremax Farms and One Spark Insurance wanted to donate 3 tons of maize and 1.2 tons of mince to the relief efforts. I wanted to help out with the transport and distribution so I immediately jumped on board,” said Lebenon.

A refrigerated truck was needed to transport the mince and Lebenon, the farmers and Rotary Zimbali clubbed together to hire one.

“We all wanted to make sure the food would go to those who most need it. Orphanages and affected seniors will be the first to receive support.”

The food was split between a number of NPO’s, including Dolphin Coast Outreach, Rotary Zimbali and The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund.

The first delivery arrived on Saturday, July 24 and Lebenon hopes for another delivery this week.

“The response from everyone in the North Coast community has been incredible, they have proved again that good will always triumph over evil,” closed Wheeler.

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