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The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape tragedy: What flood victims need and how you can help
Gift of the Givers and others deployed to flood-ravaged Eastern Cape as nearly 10 000 were displaced. A man removes water from a shack after heavy rains fell in Motherwell on June 10, 2025 in Gqeberha, South Africa. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Lulama Zenzile Humanitarian organisations Gift of the Givers, the SA Red Cross Society, and others have ramped up emergency operations across the flood-stricken Amathole and OR Tambo District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape, where nearly 10 000 residents have been displaced by severe flooding. The towns of Butterworth and Mthatha have been hardest hit, with extensive infrastructure damage and widespread evacuations. According to Gift of Givers project manager, Ali Sablay, the community halls in Butterworth, Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Bay are now housing displaced families as officials work to assess the full extent of the crisis. What aid is needed Sablay told The Citizen, the situation was 'dire' and said there is an urgent need for: Blankets, Mattresses, Drinking water Toiletries. Those who want to assist can contact Gift of Givers on their toll-free number, 0800786911, or donate to the Gift of the Giver foundation's bank account. The affected families have been provided with mattresses, blankets, and hot meals as part of the ongoing relief efforts. Banking details: Gift of the Givers Foundation Standard Bank Account number: 052137228 SA Red Cross The South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) has also mobilised emergency response teams to the area, providing 180 blankets and mattresses worth R280 000. The society appealed for financial and in-kind contributions to expand relief efforts, deploy volunteers, provide psychosocial support, and assist with shelter, logistics, and recovery. Speaking to The Citizen, Eastern Cape Provincial Manager Caroline Gallant said there is an urgent need for: Hygiene kits, C lothing, Mattresses, and and Ready-made food. 'They [victims] only have the wet clothing on their backs. Many were caught unawares and were not able to pack a bag or get clean, dry clothes.' Gallant said monetary donations were also welcome, especially for the rebuild that will follow. Banking details: SA Red Cross Society Standard Bank Account number: 081082746 Donations can be made at Red Cross Offices in Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and East London. ALSO READ: Nine dead as the Eastern Cape battles devastating floods EC government The Eastern Cape government has also called on those who can assist to drop off any donations at government buildings in the province. 'The affected families have been provided with mattresses, blankets, and hot meals as part of the ongoing relief efforts.' Black Coffee Foundation The Black Coffee Foundation is also on the ground and noted that the affected are in urgent need of: Blankets Warm clothing Non-perishable food Toiletries Sanitary items Baby supplies 'We're calling on our network, partners, and friends of the Foundation to stand with Mthatha. Let's show up with love and action,' it said. Those willing can donate to the foundation's bank account. Banking details: Black Coffee Foundation First National Bank (FNB) Account number: 62922110812 ALSO READ: Where are the kids? Eastern Cape scholar transport recovered, but children still missing [VIDEO] Water crisis in Butterworth Butterworth's water treatment plant has sustained major damage, cutting off the town's primary water supply. In response, Gift of the Givers has deployed two water tanker trucks for seven days, following a request from the Amathole District Municipality Disaster Management and the Mnquma Local Municipality. 'We are on the ground providing water to thousands of residents who have lost everything in the floods. 'Our teams are also distributing food, blankets, and hygiene packs to those in temporary shelters,' said Sablay. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa urges caution as floods claims lives in Eastern Cape National effort and coordination Relief supplies and personnel have been mobilised from outside the province to support escalating operations. The full-scale deployment in Mthatha is expected to begin in the coming days, in coordination with the OR Tambo District Municipality. Gift of the Givers has extended its appreciation to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, MEC for COGTA Zolile Williams, and local municipalities for their ongoing support. NOW READ: Santaco mourns deaths of pupils in Eastern Cape floods
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
South Africans unite for national dialogue
Humanitarian and founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman. Image: Armand Hough/ Independent Newspapers SOUTH AFRICA belongs to all who live in it, and its citizens have a collective responsibility to address its problems. This was the sentiment of renowned humanitarian, and founder of Gift of Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman who has been named among President Cyril Ramaphosa's Eminent Persons Group, selected to champion the much anticipated National Dialogue. The president first made mention of a National Dialogue during his State of the Nation address in February. The dialogue aims to tackle the persistent challenges faced by the country despite 30 years of democracy including poverty, crime, inequality, unemployment, social divisions and a growing disconnect between citizens and institutions, among others. On Tuesday, Ramaphosa announced 31 names set to champion the initiative. The group includes leaders in civil society, business, labour, religious institutions, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices. Among those on the list are Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi; Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba; former Minister and constitutional negotiator Roelf Meyer; peace activist Ela Gandhi, former MP Lindiwe Mazibuko; Miss South Africa 2024, Mia le Roux; former Constitutional Court judge, Edwin Cameron; chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke and award-winning actor Dr John Kani. The president said the dialogue would be a 'participatory process' that unfolds in phases, from local consultations and sectoral engagements to provincial and national gatherings. The first National Convention has been scheduled for August 15. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Sooliman expressed enthusiasm about the change this initiative could bring. 'When the government can ask the public for assistance it shows humility. No country can run without citizens getting fully involved. I also want to send a positive message. We always get negative messages; 'oh it can't be done', 'it's a rubber stamp', but I feel this time there can be a difference. We can work together and in the interest of the people of our country. I am interested because I'm a patriot, I know I can add value with my skills. But more than that, the fact that the government came and said can you guys help, it's a big ask.' 'My aim for a start is to develop to see that we have all the right people, there's a youth element missing. Youth are the best people to put forward their own vision and their own complaints. I know it's an eminent persons group, older people are experienced, but you need to get the requirements of young people. 'Secondly I would like them to consult across a wide spectrum. I want to come not only with the problems, I want to come with the solutions. I don't want to be on the rubber stamp committee, when we make a proposal we want to see action. People need help now.' He made an example of water supply problems which needed infrastructure solutions, instead of only providing water bottles which provided short term intervention. 'Several people (in the group) are competent with different experiences. We can do multiple interventions at the same time. 'A lot of people want to give free services, they want to give advice, we need to create the opportunity for that to happen. The fact that they've asked civil society to come and help the government is a great step forward,' Sooliman said. 'There's only one way to build this country. The government is only custodians of this country, it belongs to all of us, we all have a responsibility collectively to make it work. The mechanism has to be there; the government has to allow the door for civil society to come in which they've done now. It's a very bold step, I say let's hold their hand, let's do it together,' he concluded. Banyana Banyana coach, Dr Desiree Ellis said she wanted to contribute and make a meaningful change to the country. Reflecting on her personal experiences she said: 'I think from where I come from, Hanover Park, the communities are not safe. It's not safe for kids, it's not safe for anyone anymore. When I grew up I used to regularly play outside. I don't think it's safe to play outside and I think that needs to change. That has helped me and it has shaped me, I could play outside without fear. (It's) very important for communities to be safe again, where we look out for each other, where we take care of each other. ' For women and sport, Ellis said participation was important. 'There are still some international players that have to pay to participate and I don't think that should happen. (I want) to make sure we also bring sports back into schools. That shaped me, I could participate in sport in school, I played hockey at school, I could do athletics at school. That is the foundation phase.' She added that GBV needed to be addressed urgently. 'That is one of the biggest challenges we face in the country and it's something we need to make a bigger impact in making sure we reduce GBV cases. 'It's important for us all to make a contribution, to make a change. This is our country, we live here, we have a beautiful country and lets get back to making it beautiful again.' Cape Times
