Company Announcement - Severe drought and nationwide heat waves have resulted in five of the country’s nine provinces being declared disaster areas with residents struggling to survive. Operation Hydrate was formed by a group of community volunteers two weeks ago, following urgent calls for water from people in severely drought stricken areas. Heeding the desperate nation’s call, Willowton Group and its partners have donated R1 million worth of bottled water towards the drought-relief efforts in the Eastern Cape, North West Province and Free State.
On Saturday 23 January six Willowton trucks took water to the drought stricken towns of Winburg in the Northern Cape and Vryburg in the Free State, with more trucks leaving for the Eastern Cape on Monday 25th January. QPET a well know PET bottle manufacturer has assisted the cause and will be donating 100 000 5l bottles, which Willowton Group has committed to packing with water. Corruseal Group have offered to donate 25 000 boxes in which the filled bottles will be packed for ease in transportation. Further to this, Willowton Logistics will transport the lifesaving water – as well as an additional 15 loads - across the country to any required destination.
“South Africa is experiencing one of the worst droughts in decades and we consider it our duty to assist our fellow countrymen during these desperate times,” said Shoaib Moosa, Chief Commercial Officer of Willowton Group. “Last week’s unprecedented heat wave placed enormous pressure on the nation’s already limited resources and this donation will provide some vital relief.” A strong commitment to community upliftment is part of the fibre of Willowton Group, which has become renowned for generous donations to worthwhile recipients. Sponsors of the Proteas cricket team, Willowton Group has funded numerous educational and sporting initiatives as well as community development programmes.
Willowton Group and QPET are joining the #OperationHydrate campaign being carried out by a number of innovative South Africans who are seeking any way to bring some respite to the desperate citizens. Moosa said: “We really want to encourage other corporates to match or beat these donations during this difficult time, assisting with the provision or distribution of water to drought-stricken areas.” He said the group had partnered with QPET and Corruseal in an effort to make a meaningful contribution towards this worthy campaign.
“We are proud to be a part of this truly worthwhile cause,” said Ziyaad Moosa, Director of QPET. “The donation of water to these communities will surely have a big impact on the lives of those residents.”
Commenting on the overwhelming support for Operation Hydrate, Yaseen Theba said the response from corporate South Africa was truly inspirational.