Wed Feb 10 13:50:00 UTC 2016
The Shoprite Group’s KwaZulu-Natal division delivered 24 640 litres of fresh drinking water in Highflats, a small town situated in the Ixopo district, as part of the recently launched Project Thirst on Tuesday, 9 February 2016.
The Group’s Project Thirst aims to assist communities who continue to be affected by severe water shortages as a result of the persistent drought in South Africa. All Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets in KwaZulu-Natal are participating in this initiative by selling 5L bottled water at the lowest possible price and making designated collection points available in-stores. Not only is every donation is being matched by the Group, but they are also ensuring it gets transported to affected areas.
“The South African public has really rallied together to collect water for the numerous drought-stricken communities across the country, which is truly commendable,” commented Neil Schreuder, marketing director for Shoprite Checkers. “It is this generosity of spirit that inspired Project Thirst.”
On Tuesday, 16 February, Shoprite’s Project Thirst distributed 31 680l of water donations in the Harding area, this brings the total water distributed as part of the project to 56 320l. The water donations were accompanied by the local Shoprite Mobile Soup Kitchen who provided a warm meal to recipients on the day.
On 8 and 9 March, Project Thirst delivered 69 240 litres of water to the Uthungulu community, including schools in the area: Mbangayiya High School, Silambo Primary, Sibululwane Primary, Ngwenya Secondary, Macekane Primary, Phandaphansi Primary, Edakeni Primary, Dlabe Primary and Maqama High School.
Water donations will be distributed to drought-stricken towns in KwaZulu-Natal twice a week, specifically to community organisations supporting vulnerable people such as the elderly, women and children.
Project Thirst was initiated by the Shoprite Group’s KwaZulu-Natal division and is supported by Independent Newspapers, Unilever, Thirsti and Gift of the Givers. The project, which will be concluded at the end of March, aims to assist communities who continue to be affected by severe water shortages as a result of the persistent drought in South Africa.
The Group has in recent weeks also donated and/or transported more than 400 000* litres of water to various towns in the Free State, North West and KwaZulu-Natal. Read more on these activities here.
* updated on 18 March 2016
