Gauteng acting MEC for Social Development Panyaza Lesufi welcomed food donations worth R2,5m from various companies on Wednesday afternoon in Booysens, Johannesburg. Donations were raised to assist needy families during the national lockdown.
Shell SA donated over 9 000 food packs to be distributed across the province. Other organisations’ that donated are MealSA, Colgate-Palmolive SA and Dursot.
SANZAF and Operations SA have also set aside R5m to procure food for distribution, nutritional blankets, mattresses, toiletries and energy drinks. Dursot’s donation included 720 cans of chakalaka and baked beans.
More than 20 pallets of bath soap, toothpaste, roll on, body lotion and face cloths were donated to the homeless who reside in the temporary shelters. MealSA provided 120 000 bags of mealie meal to be delivered in batches of 40 000 per month over a period of three months.
MEC Lusufi welcomed the donations and called for more as the lockdown was extended by two weeks.
“As government we welcome the donations and are calling for more as the need is ever increasing for community assistance”said MEC Lusufi.
These donations will play a part in assisting the department in its fight against hunger and restoring the dignity of vulnerable people.
“The department awarded a tender of R80m which will add to current increased relief request due to Covid-19. National government and solidarity fund have also allocated R43m to assist the province and ensuring that our people do not go to bed on empty stomachs” said MEC Lesufi.
Lesufi told Gauteng News his department had collaborated with all Gauteng districts to raise donations.
“The province has partnered with the three metros – Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni to coordinate their donations with the province to avoid duplications and double dipping. This will also assist with stretching our resources to reach more people”, concluded MEC Lesufi.
