South African farmers, severely affected by the drought, have received aid from all over the world – including from a woman in Dubai who donated R100 000.

NC Schoombee, a Free State businessman and founder of the group Boere in Nood (Farmers in Distress), said 245 farmers had already received drought relief through the group’s Facebook page.

The page, created in early November 2015, was set up as an appeal for aid to drought-stricken farmers.

Schoombee said the group’s membership had grown to about 20 000 people. So far they had received 1 000 applications from farmers who needed animal feed.

People from countries including Australia, the USA, Canada, Netherlands, and Canada had all offered to help.
“So far we have received $1 890 [about R30 000] and they are still contributing. One woman from Dubai donated R100 000, but we are waiting for funds to be cleared.

“The group is all about helping farmers and their animals, and farmers should not apply for help more than once, so that we can accommodate everyone else.” News24