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HUNDREDS of Nelson Mandela Bay residents from different religious denominations yesterday gathered at New Brighton’s Nangoza Jebe Hall to pray for much-needed rain.

Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile joined more than 60 religious leaders in leading the prayer service.

He praised the religious community for its efforts in bringing hope to residents as the Bay water crisis worsened.

He said: “This is a testing time for all of us. Drought affects the city economically. Businesses will want to leave and plough their money elsewhere if the situation does not change.”

More critical, he said, was the fact that people’s health would deteriorate if the dams were to dry up completely.

Wayile also took the opportunity to ask religious leaders to pray for a solution to unemployment and inequality.

“With your prayers, things are bound to change and we request that you continue doing so,” he said.

The region’s dam levels have been dropping rapidly and are now at a combined capacity of only 38.5%. The Kouga Dam is at 37%, the Churchill Dam at 16.5%, the Impofu Dam at 48%, the Loerie Dam at 37% and the Groendal Dam at 41.5%.

Anglican Bishop Bethlehem Nopece delivered a moving sermon, calling on God to show himself and answer people’s prayers.

The shortage of water was critical in that, even if one had cupboards full of groceries, water was needed to cook them, he said.

“It’s a vital element of human life. With faith, willingness to repent, bury grudges and find our way back to our creator, the world would become a better place for all,” he said.

Upon the conclusion of Nopece’s address, religious leaders joined the crowd in the hall to hold hands and sing hymns.

Members of the congregation were also given the opportunity to pray in their mother tongues, led by the leaders of the different denominations representing a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.