The community of Tweefontein, Mpumalanga, celebrated a significant step towards water security this Mandela Day, as Salaamedia and Frimax Foods officially handed over a newly drilled borehole. The initiative provides a vital, sustainable water source to a community long affected by water accessibility challenges, aiming to restore dignity and ease the daily struggle for this essential resource.
The donation, made in the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service, directly addresses the stark realities many South Africans face. Despite significant progress since 1994, access to reliable water remains a critical issue.
According to a 2015 report, over 3.6 million people in the country still lacked access to an “improved” water supply. In many rural areas, the burden of fetching water from distant sources often falls on women, consuming a significant portion of their day. This new borehole represents a practical solution to an ongoing problem.
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A Symbol of hope and collaboration
The project was unveiled on Nelson Mandela International Day, a global event that encourages individuals and organisations to take action and inspire change through community service. The day commemorates the 67 years Nelson Mandela dedicated to fighting for social justice, with a call for people to volunteer 67 minutes of their time to make a difference. This borehole project embodies that call to action, transforming a day of remembrance into a lasting legacy of empowerment.
Ponty Moletsane, COO of Salaamedia, emphasised that the initiative was about more than just infrastructure. “In the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service, compassion and justice, we have partnered with Frimax Foods to gift this borehole as a symbol of hope, dignity and access to a basic human right — clean water,” he stated.
Moletsane highlighted the collaborative effort, noting that meaningful change is possible when different sectors of society unite. “Mandela Day reminds us that ‘it is in our hands’ to make a difference,” he said. “We hope this borehole becomes a lasting reminder of what can be achieved when businesses, organisations and communities work together for the common good.”
Muhammad Yousuf Essa, representing Frimax Foods, said “true success” was “about making a real difference where it matters most”. He further states: “Community upliftment is something that is very close to our heart, and initiatives like this reflect our commitment to supporting and investing in the people who have always supported us”.
The project serves as a powerful example of how corporate social responsibility can directly address systemic issues. While the government has implemented policies like the Free Basic Water programme, challenges in maintenance and infrastructure have led to service delivery gaps. This initiative by Salaamedia and Frimax Foods provides immediate relief and underscores the importance of partnerships in uplifting communities and ensuring human dignity is upheld.
