Business magnate Patrice Motsepe and businesses he has a significant stake in, on Saturday announced they have pledged R1 billion to assist government efforts to fight Covid-19.
The Motsepe Foundation, Sanlam, African Rainbow Capital and African Rainbow Minerals came together to donate.
Motsepe said the companies will be purchasing sanitisers, disinfectants, personal protective equipment and are in discussions with the government, health workers and other stakeholders to assist with acquiring other equipment and making resources available which are essential for dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve been advised that access to water for regularly washing hands is crucial for slowing and limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. We are therefore providing water to poor rural and urban communities by purchasing water tanks (jojos), drilling and equipping for borehole water and also building sanitary facilities,” Motsepe said.
“Our short to medium term interventions include building additional classrooms, computer centres and laboratories in all the 9 provinces of South Africa to assist with the excessively high number of students per classroom in some schools; particularly in the context of the current Coronavirus pandemic and the social distancing requirements.”
Two of South Africa’s richest families, the Rupert and Oppenheimer families earlier in the week also donated R1 billion each to government’s efforts to arrest the spread of the virus.
CEO of Sanlam Ian Kirk said the company is proud of the partnership with the Motsepe family and its associated companies in donating.
“We believe these efforts will make a meaningful contribution not only towards fighting the Coronavirus but also in developing the long-term sustainability of South Africans, particularly in poor and rural areas,” Kirk said.
