In response to the deteriorating situation in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) in the Eastern Cape where dam levels have reached a critical low level, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is working with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and other key stakeholders, including Gift of the Givers, to deliver water to vulnerable and distressed communities.
CCBSA is committed to supporting residents of Nelson Mandela Bay as part of a broader water crisis relief and assistance efforts.
CCBSA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gift of Givers which will see the beverages bottling company’s trucks support the foundation with the distribution of water to struggling communities in the Bay area. The first water delivery through this initiative was done on 23 June 2022.
The company has donated 20 x 5,000 Litre Jojo tanks which will be placed at identified water collection points around the city. This initiative is intended to support the rapid rollout of collection points sites as outline in the Municipality’s response plan. In addition, 500 water wheelers will be distributed to communities to aid with water collection and storage.
CCBSA is also working on the deployment of three Coke Ville sites, which are off-grid, solar-powered groundwater harvesting and treatment projects. The sites will have a combined total of nine systems, or water tanks, with a minimum annual potential of replenishing 90 million litres per annum at no cost to the beneficiaries. The Coke Ville sites will come online in August 2022. These are being deployed to the worst affected areas within Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality such as Walmer.
“Consistent access to clean running water remains a challenge for many rural and peri-urban communities across South Africa, and with global warming, the situation is getting worse. Having access to clean running water is the difference between compromised human health, and socio-economic development. Hence our efforts to assist where we can during this water crisis,” said Nozicelo Ngcobo, CCBSA’s Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability Director.
Ngcobo added that CCBSA is committed to doing everything including making available its human and financial resources to preserve water and support vulnerable communities. “As part of this, we will continue to assist Government and relief organisations to help our communities through this crisis”, said Ngcobo.
CCBSA was also implementing a structured plan to secure alternative water supply sources to minimise societal impact. This, as local government has indicated that water for drinking, washing, flushing toilets, and fighting fires will be severely limited in the coming days.
“We are working with all relevant role-players on interventions to ensure the preservation of available water sources for as long as possible, to procure water from alternative sites, and to work alongside relief organisations to provide water for distressed and vulnerable communities” Ngcobo.
