ABERDEEN NEWS - Following reports of water shortages in Aberdeen, Gift of the Givers Foundation has also started helping victims of the water crises in this Karoo town.

Last week Tuesday, Corene Conradie and her team visited the town with water tankers.

DA PR councillor Eldrige Ruiters arranged that water and sanitation supervisor Ralph Frazenburg coordinate his delivery to the townships with the Aberdeen water tanker, to coincide with Gift of the Givers' visit. By doing so, the areas most in need were identified.

The tankers paid a visit to Thembalesizwe, near the school, as well as Lotusville, where the team was greeted by residents with a variety of containers. In Lotusville, dark clouds gathered, and before Gift of the Givers' water was fully shared out, rain began to fall to the delight of all. The remaining water was transferred to the municipality's tank to be used the next day.

After discussions with Ruiters and a member of the community, Conradie outlined plans for other ways that the Foundation could help in Aberdeen. She has already received two tanks to set up in the townships, which will be available for the community. 

"We need to identify trustworthy and reliable people to be responsible for these tanks on their property," Conradie explained, adding that they did not want a repeat of the vandalism experienced at one of their boreholes in Graaff-Reinet.

Once the children are back at school, she will bring stationery packs for children whose families are struggling financially, to be identified by the schools. Packs of sanitary towels will also be provided for needy schoolgirls.

Gift of the Givers Project Manager Ali Sablay told the Advertiser that the Foundation will be meeting with the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality soon to see what can be done for Aberdeen in terms of water supply. 

"We know that many of the farmers are suffering, as well as schools," he said.

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