With the lockdown regulations set to be relaxed as of Friday, and Covid-19 cases coming through thick and fast, president Cyril Ramaphosa was at a Takealot distribution centre in Kempton Park to receive Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) as well as medical supplies on Thursday.
The R1 billion shipment was donated by global internet group, Naspers following the outbreak of the coronavirus in South Africa and the entire world.
Naspers have now donated R1.5 billion after donating R500 million to the Solidarity Fund.
South Africa was on Thursday sitting on 5 647 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 2 073 recoveries and a death toll of 103. The Western Cape and Gauteng provinces are leading the pack with 2 342 and 1 446 cases, respectively, while the Northern Cape still remains the lowest hit, with only 17 coronavirus cases.
Ramaphosa says the Naspers donation is a significant contribution to the healthcare and to the partnership between government, the private sector and civil society at large in the fight against Covid-19.
“Today we receive a consignment of PPEs and we are really grateful that we have a co-operation from organizations like Naspers and many others, who decided that they’re going to lend a hand and assist our whole effort of fighting the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa sent his condolences to the family of former African National Congress (ANC) and Umkhonto We Sizwe stalwart, Denis Goldberg, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87.
Goldberg was among the accused in the Rivonia trial in 1963, alongside Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu – him being the youngest of the trialists.
Ramaphosa said the passing of a ‘Isithwalandwe’, as Goldberg was affectionately known, was a sad moment for the nation, a moment for all of us to appreciate his bravery and dedication to the struggle, and lifelong activism in the interest of the poor and vulnerable communities in the country.
“His commitment to ethical leadership was unflinching and even during his advanced age, he formed part of the movement of veterans of the struggle, calling for the reassertion of the moral centre of society. He dedicated his life to achieving the better life we enjoy today.
“His revolutionary contribution reinforced the non-racial character of our struggle and of our democratic dispensation. We will hold him in our thoughts and prayers as we say farewell at a time when we are not allowed to gather to say our goodbyes. May his soul rest in peace,” added Ramaphosa.
Images: sandtonchronicle.co.za
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