Cape Town water crisis is our concern

WE are one nation.

Though we may be separated by distance, language, culture and a host of other differences, we are united through our common humanity.

We all need air to breathe, food to eat, shelter and warmth… and water to drink.

We know – some more than others – what it means to be hungry, cold and thirsty.

Cape Town’s drought, as indeed the current water shortage in our area (let’s not be fooled that we are off the hook), is not the result of politics or policies; it is a natural occurrence caused by a weather phenomenon over which man holds no power.

Yes, perhaps things could have been done differently and sooner, but now is not the time for finger-pointing or points scoring.

This is potentially a catastrophe of unprecedented scale in South Africa.

And, as usual, the ones with the least means and money at their disposal will be hardest hit.

They will not be able to purchase water, nor buy and erect tanks to capture rain water.

They will be at the mercy of the circumstances – and totally dependent on the goodwill and generosity of others.

The Zululand Observer has thrown its weight behind local efforts to collect and deliver water to the parched Cape.

We have advertised a number of drop-off points in Richards Bay and Empangeni where businesses, families and other donors can bring both bottled water as well as containers.

KwaGijima Express Services have kindly committed themselves to trucking the donations to Durban each afternoon from where the Gift of the Givers – a truly wonderful benevolence organisation – will ensure the donations reach Cape Town and are responsibly allocated.

As always, the act of giving blesses both the giver and the receiver.

Your donation of water will not only quench the thirst of another person; it will also restore their faith in humanity and their fellow citizen.

You will have the inward satisfaction of knowing you have made a positive difference.