Madam – Recently, I happened on a publication which had articles covering the real situation facing the citizens of South Africa.
It was a disturbing read as the consequences are far reaching. South Africa is a dry country and is classified as semi-arid, and has an average annual rainfall of just 464 mm against the world average of about 860 mm.
The present drought cycle is putting our farming community under tremendous stress, with the driest parts of South Africa appearing to be the Karoo and Eastern Cape.
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The timely intervention of The Gift of the Givers is to be lauded. I read of the water crisis in Newcastle, not including the concern expressed about the bursting pipes because of no maintenance over the years.
Being without electricity, although very irritating is preferable to being without water. You can make fire to cook and heat water for washing, but without this life giving liquid you are sabotaged. It seems that water restrictions are or will be instituted in a lot of towns in the future, unless water levels in dams improve.
Linked to this is the poor food security, which is of course tied to the drought.
Imagine going to the green grocer and the shelves are empty, as has happened in countries north of us. Scary thought right? Let’s all pull together, save water and appreciate our country would be without our farmers. Yes. Not a pretty sight by any means.
Trevor Barnes
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