Santam donates to Port St. Johns flood relief efforts

Santam, through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Department, has donated R250 000 to the O.R Tambo District Municipality after floods on 23 March 2023, which left 1,000 people displaced and waterworks and bridges destroyed.

The torrential rain hit the north eastern parts of the Eastern Cape affecting local municipalities such as Port St Johns, King Sabata Dalindyebo and Inquza Hill.

Neptal Khoza, Head of Market Development at Santam said, “Through our work with communities, we realized that such catastrophes required collaboration from all spheres of society, whether it’s the government, Non-governmental Organisations (NGO), or a corporate like ourselves.

For us to be able to make a difference in our communities, we have to work together. And this is why we formed partnerships with organizations such as the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) for a seamless and efficient response to disasters like the one that hit Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape. And as such, Santam has collaborated with the South African Red Cross Society to ensure that the donation reaches the people of Port St Johns and is used appropriately.

“With this donation, we are hoping to reach at least 150 affected households and help them in recovering from this disaster”, said Khoza. 

The OR Tambo District Municipality said the heavy rains destroyed a number of bridges in Port St Johns, which hampered people's movements from one village to another.

With community halls being flooded, people are being accommodated at the Port St Johns Youth Centre and some at bed and breakfasts in Port St Johns. According to the Municipality, relief teams are struggling to get to the areas as roads and bridges have been destroyed.

To read more on Santam’s CSI initiatives, click here