In 2015, Agri SA established a Drought Disaster Relief Fund to aid the severe drought conditions which hit South Africa in the last two quarters of 2015 and during the first quarter of 2016. The fund has thus far provided immediate relief in the form of livestock feed and humanitarian aid such as food parcels and water to farming communities in distress.

Agri SA has partnered with Shoprite to bring relief to farming communities across the country which were mostly affected by the drought. 

Through its #ActForChange Fund, Shoprite customers have helped to raise over R200 0000 for drought relief efforts during March and April this year. The #ActForChange Fund was launched following requests by consumers who want to make a difference in communities affected by natural disasters such as the recent droughts, as well as in the communities experiencing serious challenges such as poverty and food scarcity. 

As part of on-going relief efforts, on 12 May 2016, Shoprite and Agri SA delivered food parcels to 150 impoverished farming families in the community of Jozini in the Umkhanyakude District in KwaZulu-Natal. Agri Roodeplaat and the Agri SA Hope Grass Project in collaboration with Kwanalu also distributed fodder to farmers in the Makhathini Flats Community. 

Phenias Gumede, Vice President of Agri SA presided over the handover ceremony which took place on Thursday in Jozini. Christo Van der Rheede, Deputy Executive Director of Agri SA and National Coordinator of the Drought Relief Action Plan describes the collaboration between Agri SA, Shoprite, Kwanalu and various other role-players to bring relief to drought stricken communities as a humbling experience. This according to an der Rheede does not just bring hope to many of the local people, but it bears testimony of a South African people that really care about each other.   

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