Motsepe family, others donate R1bn to fight Covid-19
The Motsepe family has pledged R1 billion to assist South Africa in its fight against an outbreak of coronavirus.
Businessman Patrice Motsepe, Sanlam CEO Ian Kirk, and chairperson of African Rainbow Capital Johan van Zyl held a virtual media briefing on Saturday.
On Friday, the country embarked on a 21-day lockdown in a bid to curb the rapid spread of the deadly virus.
The number of people who have tested positive for the virus stood at 1170 on Saturday, while it also claimed the life of a 48-year-old woman in the Western Cape.
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"Several hundred million rands will immediately be made available with the primary objective of saving lives and slowing and restraining the spread of the coronavirus,” said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe on behalf of the family.
“We are purchasing sanitisers, disinfectants, personal protective equipment and are in discussions with 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.”
Motsepe urged South Africans not to panic, but to embrace the measures that the government has put into place to stop the virus from spreading.