THE government has allocated an additional R96.6m for drought relief efforts.
The country has been hit by its worst drought in 23 years, and has grappled with water shortages brought on by a heat wave. The North West, Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo have been the worst affected by drought conditions.
on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said: "The government has added R96.6m to the R352.6m set aside to support the country’s drought relief efforts.
"(The additional money will be used to) … purchase 45 tankers for water distribution to affected areas, borehole drilling and rehabilitation, water conservation, and demand management."
President Jacob Zuma has set up an interministerial committee, headed by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan, to find ways to mitigate the effects of the drought. The committee announced its first interventions last week.
As a result of the drought, maize yield forecasts have been slashed, crops have failed and farmers have had to resort to the mass slaughter of livestock. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform had moved livestock to "land where there is still better pasture", and Mr Gordhan was co-ordinating mayors’ efforts to implement water-saving measures under the guidance of Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, Mr Radebe said.
"(Other) measures include water restrictions, monitoring adherence thereto, applying penalties and prioritising the repair of water leaks.
"We are also promoting water-efficient technologies like low-flush toilet cisterns, water harvesting and grey water irrigation," he said.
The South African National Defence Force has had to deliver water to the hardest-hit areas in Free State from nearby boreholes.
Free State MEC for agriculture Oupa Khoabane has offered R30m to farmers affected by the drought.
Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe. Picture: GCIS
THE government has allocated an additional R96.6m for drought relief efforts.
The country has been hit by its worst drought in 23 years, and has grappled with water shortages brought on by a heat wave. The North West, Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo have been the worst affected by drought conditions.
on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said: "The government has added R96.6m to the R352.6m set aside to support the country’s drought relief efforts.
"(The additional money will be used to) … purchase 45 tankers for water distribution to affected areas, borehole drilling and rehabilitation, water conservation, and demand management."
President Jacob Zuma has set up an interministerial committee, headed by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan, to find ways to mitigate the effects of the drought. The committee announced its first interventions last week.
As a result of the drought, maize yield forecasts have been slashed, crops have failed and farmers have had to resort to the mass slaughter of livestock. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform had moved livestock to "land where there is still better pasture", and Mr Gordhan was co-ordinating mayors’ efforts to implement water-saving measures under the guidance of Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, Mr Radebe said.
"(Other) measures include water restrictions, monitoring adherence thereto, applying penalties and prioritising the repair of water leaks.
"We are also promoting water-efficient technologies like low-flush toilet cisterns, water harvesting and grey water irrigation," he said.
The South African National Defence Force has had to deliver water to the hardest-hit areas in Free State from nearby boreholes.
Free State MEC for agriculture Oupa Khoabane has offered R30m to farmers affected by the drought.
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