In rural South Africa, many women and children spend hours each day walking long distances – an average of 6 kilometres – just to collect water. The most heartbreaking part of this reality is that the water they collect is often contaminated, unsafe, and a breeding ground for waterborne diseases.
This is where Relate Water comes in.
Relate Water raises funds to provide clean water and life-changing opportunities to rural South African communities. The Relate Water Walk offers a powerful chance to come together with friends, family, and colleagues to make a meaningful impact. Every step taken helps address the critical need for clean, accessible water in the communities that need it most.
South Africa faces a radical, yet solvable, water crisis
According to ESI Africa, South Africa is approaching physical water scarcity in 2025, putting the country at risk of experiencing a water deficit of 17 percent by 2030, and climate change will worsen the situation.
As we mark World Water Day on 22 March 2025, coinciding with National Water Month, the Relate Water Walk invites you to take part in a mission that truly matters. By walking a distance that mirrors the struggle of millions, you will raise awareness around addressing the global water crisis – and more specifically raise funds to bring sustainable, solar-powered water systems to rural South African communities.
This year, the funds raised from the Relate Water Walk will go toward providing clean water to the Iglington Malwana Village in Mpumalanga, where 4,480 people currently walk several times a day to collect water from contaminated open sources. For this community, water scarcity isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a constant threat to their health and survival, with widespread cases of diarrhoea, skin rashes, and other waterborne diseases.
But here’s the incredible part – change is within reach.
Relate Water believes that small actions, when combined, can create a big, lasting impact. Our aim is to get 5,000 people globally to enter the event, which would raise enough funds to bring water to the entire village. That’s the transformative power of the Relate Water Walk. By registering, you’re not only taking on a personal challenge, you’re making a lasting impact in a community where access to clean water is a critical need – as each R300 entry gifts water to one person for life.
Lauren Gillis, philanthropist and founder of The Relate Trust says: “The Relate Water Walk taps into the collective power of community, proving that many small contributions can create a tremendous, lasting impact.”
Why every step counts
Nomu Wa Huku Village in Mpumalanga, stands as a testament to the incredible impact of Relate Water’s community-driven solutions. On June 12th, 2024, 14 taps were opened, transforming the lives of 4,000 people who now have access to safe, clean water.
But the journey doesn’t stop there. This year, Relate Water has its sights set on eight more villages in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, where the need for clean water is urgent. It costs approximately R1.7 million to bring this life-changing resource to each village, and the team is ready to act as soon as the necessary funding is secured.
“When I co-founded Relate Water with my longtime friend Lauren Gillis, it was from a place of deep personal resonance and a sense of responsibility. Working with deboer, I’ve had the privilege of seeing our athletes push limits, taking water access as a given in their pursuit of greatness. Yet in many rural South African communities, clean water remains an unreachable resource, a daily challenge that women and children face just to survive.” David Greenstein, deboer & Relate Water co-founder.
Relate Water’s success is rooted in collaboration, working hand-in-hand with municipalities, traditional leaders, and local communities to ensure that every project is grounded in the real needs of the people it aims to serve. This community-driven approach ensures that their solutions are sustainable, creating lasting impact for years to come.
A key partner in this mission is Innovation: Africa, South Africa, whose solar-powered water systems provide a reliable and renewable source of clean water, for life. These solar pumps aren’t just pieces of technology – they are lifelines, transforming the lives of entire communities.
How clean water is unlocking opportunities for generations
Water is a catalyst for opportunity and hope, unlocking doors in agriculture, employment, entrepreneurship, health, and education. When a community gains access to a sustainable, solar-powered water solution, it lays the groundwork for enduring economic growth and long-term prosperity.
With every new Relate Water project, ten young men and women from the community are trained in all aspects of construction, gaining hands-on experience and valuable skills that open doors to transformative employment opportunities in the surrounding areas.
Once the taps are turned on, a local committee and pump attendants are appointed to oversee the ongoing flow of water, ensuring the system operates sustainably for generations. Innovation: Africa, South Africa guarantees funding for ongoing maintenance, ensuring long-term sustainability without additional costs to the funders.
For women, it opens doors to employment and entrepreneurship, as they now have time to work and run businesses. Mothers gain valuable hours to focus on their families, no longer burdened by the daily trek for water and the need to boil it before use.
Children, freed from the daily task of collecting water, are able to attend school regularly, while schools benefit from clean water and improved sanitation, creating better learning environments. Simultaneously, these systems improve overall health, prevent illness, and enhance the well-being of entire communities.