Within days, enough funds were raised by the Thebe Foundation to provide an initial 2 100 families with desperately needed food parcels!
South Africa (08 May 2020) – Corporate South Africa has a huge part to play in assisting the most vulnerable in society as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have such devastating effects on the country’s most vulnerable.
The Thebe Investment Group of companies is no exception. Within days of being approached to assist several civil society organisations that assist identified civil society organisations that assist vulnerable households, mostly for children who are orphaned due to chronic diseases and other societal challenges in the greater Soweto, Alex, Sedibeng and Orange Farm regions, the Thebe Relief Fund was established and a rush to raise resources commenced.
A plea was sent to all employees and companies within the Thebe Group to voluntarily support this effort.
Within days, enough funds were raised to provide an initial 2 100 families with desperately needed food parcels, which are being handed out from this morning in Orange Farm, one of many communities where COVID-19 has greatly impacted food security.
With the current lockdown, ‘drop-in centres’ that usually provide one meal a day to thousands of vulnerable households across Gauteng, mostly for children who are orphaned due to chronic diseases and other societal challenges, are either closed or not fully able to meet needs. This initial distribution is made possible with resources from Seriti Resources, Thebe Investment Corporation, Pride Milling, and supported by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The appeal to the Thebe Foundation was made on behalf of the 27 organisations that assist HIVSA, a section 21 non-profit organisation established to develop and implement social support programmes and strategies to improve the lives of people and vulnerable communities, mostly for children who are orphaned due to chronic diseases and other societal issues.
“We are appreciative of the commitment of the Thebe Foundation Trust, and it’s partners for the quick response to the needs we were feeling on the ground, and the many families supported through the community-based partners we work with daily,” says Yashmita Naidoo, CEO of HIVSA.
This plea is for simple items, yet items that can save lives, including basic food and essential supplies such as mielie meal rice, sugar, tea, cooking oil, beans, soap, etc.
“The majority of us may take for granted that we have access to hot meals every day with no need to think about where the next meal will come from. Most of us have never had to go to bed hungry. Our board of directors and the executive team are committed to supporting this voluntary Thebe Foundation initiative to help feed those that would otherwise go hungry,” says Lehlohonolo Chabeli, Chief Executive Officer of the Thebe Foundation Trust.
The needs of these communities are not limited to the lockdown, as the immediate weeks and months after that will see a slow recovery as traditional sources of support have been heavily impacted in this period, and the ripple effects will continue still for some time.
“There will be an even greater need for as much assistance as possible going forward as the economic impact of the pandemic really takes effect. We have set a target of at least R10 Million to feed over 14 000 families for one month within the greater Soweto, Alex, Sedibeng and Orange Farm regions. We anticipate the need will continue for at least three months, totalling a need of R30 million,” says Chabeli.
Thebe Foundation Trust (TFT) challenges all employees and companies within the group, and outside, who are able to pledge, as well as other groups beyond their network to support this initiative even further, by making any voluntary cash and kind (product and logistics) contributions. Interested companies are asked to go tohttps://thebefoundation.org.za/ or email Phindi Nontlahla on phindi@thebe.co.za for more details about what items are needed or to request a pledge form.
Please donate to this very urgent cause to feed the most vulnerable in our society as they start to rebuild their communities gravely affected by this pandemic.
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