
Water is a scarce and precious commodity and access to reliable and clean source is a basic human right. Unfortunately, many communities around South Africa must do without this essential resource. It is for this reason that Volvo Trucks South Africa has donated two FMX trucks to the SOS Water on Wheels project in the Western Cape, to bring water and sanitation to communities’ doorsteps.
SOS NPO supports under-privileged communities and schools within the water and sanitation hygiene space (WASH). They collaborate with community stakeholders, government and businesses to provide additional water, sanitation and hygiene sources and solutions, as well as providing non-portable water, transportation, and infrastructure. It also addresses sanitation, hygiene, climate change and education around these issues.
In line with its focus on economic female empowerment and creating local job opportunities wherever possible within on-site project teams, two woman drivers have been appointed by SOS NPO to operate the trucks. Both drivers will undergo an extensive four-month driver training course through Volvo Trucks’ Iron Women programme.
Volvo Trucks have been involved with the SOS project since 2018 and since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has expanded to provide essential sanitation stations to curb the spread of the virus in areas where such stations were most needed.

“We are humbled that, with the support of Volvo Group global, we are able to donate these vehicles to SOS and trust that reliable transport will continue to make a tangible difference in the efforts of this worthy organisation,” says Marcus Hörberg, vice president of Volvo Group Southern Africa. “At Volvo Trucks we believe transport can drive prosperity and we feel grateful that our trucks can impact the lives of many in this way.”
The donation of the vehicles also includes a two-year Blue service contract. Many of SOS NPO’s project sites are located close to the Volvo Trucks branch in Cape Town which makes it ideal for the team to provide support when needed.
“The news of the donation was the best we could wish for,” says Shelley Humphreys, executive director of SOS NPO. “We value our partnership with Volvo Trucks and the Water on Wheels project is truly an example to inspire others.”
It’s all the right stuff. Salute to Volvo on this fine gesture.