Almost six months after the catastrophic floods which wreaked havoc in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal
region, many communities in Durban and its environs are still without potable water, prompting
three organisations to unite in providing a 16 000-litre water tanker to help boost relief operations.Recognising the critical water shortage in, especially, historically disadvantaged and rural areas around Durban the Caring Sisters Network, the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) and the Phoenix Cash n Carry recently formed a unique alliance to deliver humanitarian assistance to
affected communities in Durban and neighbouring towns.
Commenting at the recent official handover of the specially adapted tanker, valued at more than
R1,5 million, SAMCT representative, Mr Shabir Chohan, said: “The April floods decimated water
supply infrastructure in many areas in and around Durban, leaving desperate communities without
access to potable water. Whilst much has been done by charitable organisations and the private
sector to provide relief, it has become evident that still greater levels of aid are required in order to
meet the basic human needs of access to water for domestic usage.”
Responding, the SAMCT made available the funds to purchase and adapt a vehicle with a 16 000-litre
water tank to undertake relief services, while the Phoenix Cash n Carry came on board to fund the
vehicle’s operational costs, such as licensing, registration, fuel and maintenance, together with
comprehensive insurance. The business has also provided and is paying a dedicated driver.
The third party to the alliance, the Caring Sisters Network, has assumed responsibility for overseeing
the logistics aspects, inclusive of identifying areas requiring water supply, the provision of water to
fill the tank and the co-ordination of water distribution, together with its partners.
Mr Chohan said: “The entire Tongaat logistics and distribution of water was and is being handled by
Godfrey and Associates, and the SAMCT is pleased to be in a position to assist its operations by
making available another tanker.”
Phoenix Cash n Carry representative, Mr Ahmed Dhai, said: “Of all our philanthropic projects, there
are none so close to our hearts as the donation of water. When the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)
was asked which charity was best, he replied, ‘a drink of water.’
“We are exceptionally thankful to the Caring Sisters Network and the SAMCT for facilitating our
mission in the restoring dignity to the lives of those devastated by the April floods. We are humbled
to have the faith and fortitude bestowed upon us by the generous sponsorship of our partners in
this existential endeavour. With The Almighty as our guide, we now go forth and serve His people.”
Ms Yasiera Mahomed of the Caring Sisters Network, commented: “We are thrilled and privileged to
be able to participate in this ongoing endeavour to provide such a basic, yet crucial, human need to
the most vulnerable in our society. We firmly believe that Almighty God has done us a favour by
giving us the opportunity and the resources to serve his creation and are humbled that the SAMCT
and Phoenix Cash n Carry have selected us to partner with them.”
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al
Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds.
The South African Muslim Charitable Trust provides funding, services and other resources for the
improvement of the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has been singularly
successful in delivering sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or
religion – and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of social development,
poverty alleviation, healthcare and education.
Mr Chohan concluded: “Water is vital to life and the devastating floods in April this year has put this
in jeopardy for numerous communities, many of them already disadvantaged, creating a massive
humanitarian disaster on our very doorstep. The SAMCT was, therefore, compelled to act; to join
with others in bringing relief to those in need and sustaining life. We were greatly heartened to have
been able to form an alliance with two other like-minded organisations, the Caring Sisters network
and Phoenix Cash n Carry, to together bring the water tanker need to reality, and so serve the needy
communities in Durban and other affected towns.”
For more information about SAMCT, the Caring Sister Network and Phoenix Cash n Carry’s water
tanker donation and operation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za
www.samct.co.za