File picture: Juho Tastula File picture: Juho Tastula
Durban - Civil rights movement AfriForum is encouraging the public to contribute R10 – which it would double – towards a fund to assist farmers affected by the devastating drought gripping certain provinces.
This is part of a campaign that was launched by the movement on Friday.
AfriForum spokesman Henk Maree said that for the next few weeks, it would encourage members of the public to each contribute R10.
An SMS service has been set up for the contributions.
“South Africa is plagued by a severe drought. Some towns have no drinking water. We can do nothing else but to roll up our sleeves and help,” said Maree.
He said the aim was to collect as much money as possible in the next two weeks to try to ease the current suffering of farmers.
However, the campaign would still carry on afterwards.
AfriForum, in co-operation with agricultural organisations such as TAU South Africa, would help distressed farmers by providing fodder, for instance.
“We are willing to work closely with agricultural organisations because they know where the greatest crises are.”
There was a severe shortage of fodder and fewer crops. There was also no water in some areas. Maree said the impact of the drought would be felt by the public with the increase of food prices.
“We encourage all members of the public to SMS their names to 38312 to contribute R10 to the fund. Each R10 SMS will ensure a R20 contribution to the drought fund,” he said.
THE MERCURY