South Africa remains in the grip of its worst drought in decades. South African Weather Service recently announced that 2015/2016 has been the driest years on record and it shows no sign of abating. Those records date back to 1904.
The Dundee area is no different with biting water restrictions starting to affect homes and businesses. Local records suggest that 2015/16 is the driest in over 70 years.
Endumeni is surviving solely on water pumped into the Buffalo River from Chelmsford dam which is also rapidly dropping as it feeds Newcastle municipal area, Dannhauser, Endumeni and Nquthu.
South Africa is expected to import R2 million worth of grains this year, in an effort to make up for the impact of the drought, which has resulted in shortfalls for crop farmers. The agricultural sector has lost R16 billion due to the drought and officially, 34-million South Africans are affected by the drought in one way or another.
Various organisations have been working tirelessly to assist with the drought. The goodwill from South Africans has been amazing. Everyone is rallying behind assisting the drought.

Operation Hydrate have assisted in distributing over 13 million litres of water and created more than 25 boreholes including some in Hattingspruit.

A group of volunteers started #OperationHydrate in response to calls for water from Senekal in the Free State. The call for assistance drove everyone.
Operation Hydrate has assisted in distributing over 13 million litres of water and created more than 25 boreholes including some in Hattingspruit.
Agri SA has since played a major role in terms of drought relief assistance to farming communities. Various programmes were also organised in the Western Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KZN and Northwest aimed at bringing relief to destitute communities these past months.
Agri SA has collected R14 million to subsidise or fund the following activities:
12 165 farmers in were assisted with fodder to keep some of their livestock alive.
8 657 farm workers and their families were assisted with food parcels.
39 729 bales of fodder of various sizes were donated or purchased and distributed.
26 580 bags of feed pellets were donated or purchased and distributed.
236 tonnes of mealie meal, food hampers were donated and distributed
200 000 liters of water were donated and distributed.
20 water tanks were donated and distributed.
532 trucks were used to transport fodder, food parcels and water.
R14 million donated by the individuals and companies.
1274 donors donated money to the fund.
150 rural towns were targeted in 6 provinces.