Following an overwhelming response from the broader community, the Shukrul Mubeen Water Project will be able to distribute water to drought-stricken provinces around South Africa this weekend. 4500 bottles of water has been collected at the Shukrul Mubeen masjid and will be stored at the Gift of the Givers (GOTG) warehouse, where it will be disseminated to needy areas.  VOC has also jumped aboard the initiative.

“We had aimed to collect 1000 bottles of 5 litre sealed water and we have collected an outstanding 225 litres,” says co-ordinator Ridwaan Kenny.

Although there were various pick up points, the central point was at the Shukrul Mubeen mosque.

The water will be distributed by GOTG to the five drought-stricken provinces including KwaZulu-Natal‚ Free State‚ North West‚ Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Some areas in the Eastern Cape‚ Northern Cape and Western Cape‚ have better dam levels‚ however certain districts in these provinces are affected by water shortages. The initiative is aimed at collecting containers of water and providing towns around South Africa with drinking water.

The project was initiated by Kenny who found water scarcity an issue in South Africa after it was reported that rainfall levels have remained low.

“There has not been sufficient rainfall throughout the country and we have decided to do something about it,” says Kenny.

Members of the ulema have been informed to drop off water containers. The idea was sparked by the South African initiative Operation Hydrate where containers of water were delivered to rural towns.

Kenny says that the Western Cape is more fortunate compared to other provinces like Northern Cape, North-West province and the Eastern Cape.

“We decided to assist those who are in dire need in other parts of the country because as Muslims we help others,” says Kenny.

Members of the ulema are reminded of the privilege they have of clean running water and are to make the effort to bring containers of water to the masjid. Organisers have thanked the community for their support to the project. VOC