Operation Hydrate was formed by a group of community volunteers two weeks ago, following urgent calls for water from people in severely drought stricken areas.
Heeding the desperate nation's call, Willowton Group and its partners have donated R1m worth of bottled water towards the drought relief efforts in the Eastern Cape, North West Province and Free State.
On Saturday, 23 January six Willowton trucks took water to the drought stricken towns of Winburg in the Free State and Vryburg in North West, with more trucks leaving for the Eastern Cape on Monday, 25 January.
QPET, a PET bottle manufacturer, has assisted the cause and will be donating 100,000 five litre bottles, which Willowton Group has committed to packing with water. Corruseal Group have offered to donate 25,000 boxes in which the filled bottles will be packed for ease in transportation. Further to this, Willowton Logistics will transport the lifesaving water - as well as an additional 15 loads - across the country to any required destination.
"South Africa is experiencing one of the worst droughts in decades and we consider it our duty to assist our fellow countrymen during these desperate times," said Shoaib Moosa, chief commercial officer of Willowton Group. "Last week's unprecedented heat wave placed enormous pressure on the nation's already limited resources and this donation will provide some vital relief."
Willowton Group and QPET are joining the #OperationHydrate campaign being carried out by a number of innovative South Africans who are seeking any way to bring some respite to the desperate citizens.
"We really want to encourage other corporates to match or beat these donations during this difficult time, assisting with the provision or distribution of water to drought-stricken areas," Moosa said.
"We are proud to be a part of this truly worthwhile cause," said Ziyaad Moosa, director of QPET. "The donation of water to these communities will surely have a big impact on the lives of those residents."
