AfriForum's Moreleta Park Emergency Water Point Aids Pretorians During Water Crisis

The residents of Pretoria, South Africa, have found some respite in AfriForum's proactive measure to counter the city's acute water shortage. With taps running dry, the civil rights organization's Moreleta Park branch swiftly established an emergency water point in the suburb of Waterkloof Glen, offering a much-needed lifeline to the parched community.

Since its operation, the emergency water point has been a bustling hub of activity, especially last night, with an impressive 4,300 litres of water being distributed to grateful residents. The water point's opening hours, set from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm daily, are strategically scheduled to assist those affected by the cuts after their workday.

The current water crisis follows scheduled maintenance by Rand Water on its Mapleton and Palmiet Water Systems, leaving residents with limited water supply. The repairs, although completed, left the utility company cautioning that the restoration of water supply to various areas of the city would take anywhere from one to three days, with even longer wait times for higher elevation regions.

Sampie Steinberg, Regional Head at AfriForum, emphasized that the water shortage persists and requires ongoing community support. Steinberg acknowledged the community had been forewarned about the maintenance; however, such preparations are scant comfort to households left without water for an extended period. The organization's initiative in Moreleta Park has shown how vital emergency water points are during such crises, providing not only water but also reassurance to residents.

While AfriForum's Moreleta Park branch endeavored to support local households, they did not stop there. Assistance stretched to the Bronberg Retirement Estate in Olympus, demonstrating the organization's commitment to all community members. The emergency water point, located at the Woodglen Complex on Rooigras Street, is equipped with an 11,000-litre capacity, refilled with borehole water to ensure continued support.

AfriForum's inaugural emergency water point, constructed in 2019 at the Pierneef Primary School, marked the beginning of a nationwide endeavor. Today, the organization boasts over 90 emergency water points across South Africa, with a collective capacity of approximately 720,500 litres, ready to serve the nation in times of water-related crises.

This thoughtful initiative underscores the importance of community resilience and the necessity for emergency preparedness in modern South African cities facing unpredictable service delivery challenges.