Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a Solidarity Fund for businesses, foundations, organisations and individuals to donate funds to help those most desperately in need of food and health care during the period of lock-down.
We are in difficult times globally due to COVID-19. Here in the UK, the UK government has been able to draw on resources to help the people, businesses and the economy, to “flatten the curve” of the disease and lessen the economic impact for many of us.
In South Africa, the government is not in the same position so Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a Solidarity Fund for businesses, foundations, organisations and individuals to donate funds to help those most desperately in need of food and health care during the period of lock-down, which imposes even harsher conditions than we are experiencing in the UK. Those in most need, who become unemployed, who cannot work or were already unemployed, will be those supported.
South Africa is slightly behind the northern hemisphere in terms of infections and deaths from COVID-19, but the impact of the lock-down is immediate, impacting millions of people, and urgent action is needed. Further responses will also be needed in the weeks ahead.
The State President has called on all of us to assist with funding and has enlisted vast resources of the likes of Old Mutual, EY, PwC, ENSafrica, Yellowwoods Foundation, the DG Murray Trust, Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, Rothschild, Brunswick and many more. Over and above funds, these entities are providing the pro bono resources needed to manage the Solidarity Fund in a fully transparent manner, to ensure top priorities are identified and actioned, that co-ordination occurs with both public and private initiatives, and to engage with all participants, including donors.
The Solidarity Fund is a privately run Fund, with full accountability, and is not bound by public sector procurement requirements.
Some organisations and foundations have already committed some healthy sums to help South Africa, so that the economy and people’s lives can recover as quickly as possible.
The Solidarity Fund is one where all of us can together make a meaningful difference to the lives of South Africans right now.
The SA Chamber is providing pro bono services to support UK companies, charities, foundations or individuals who would like to be part of making a difference by donating, by making it simple to get funds quickly and effectively to SA.
If you would like the Chamber to ensure the highest value of Rands are realised for your Sterling, please either call me (Sharon Constançon 07773 777 495) or send the funds to:
South African Chamber of Commerce UK Limited
Barclays Bank, Slough Trading Estate Branch, UK
Branch Code: 20-78-58
Bank Account Number: 7348 3673
Reference: SF (your name)
If you have funds in SA or wish to send funds directly, please remit to the Solidarity Fund:
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch Name: Sandton City
Account Name: Solidarity Fund
Account No: 023070021
Account Type: Current Account
Branch Code: 051001
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
Credit Cards can be used:
Credit Card Donations through a secure online portal: www.solidarityfund.co.za
In kind offerings can be donated:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +27 (0)860 001 001 (between 8am and 6pm SA time)
Please note:
*For all monetary donations, please include your Identity/Company Registration/Trust number/Tax reference number, as applicable, to facilitate preparation of your Section 18A tax certificate.
We ask you to please to send us an email of proof of payment (if to the Chamber) or an email sharing with us what you have done at another level, to [email protected] for both UK or SA direct transfers.
We will ensure that all who donate, organisation or individual, are recognised for their efforts and contributions. To ensure the best value for contributions received by SACC, my company Valufin will manage forex transfers at no charge. Exceed UK will audit SACC to confirm all funds received have been transmitted.
The summary brochure for the Solidarity Fund can be downloaded here.
For your information, the Board Members of the Solidarity Fund are:
Gloria Serobe (Chairwoman)
Adi Enthoven (Deputy Chairman)
Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba (Chair Distribution Committee)
Tryphosa Ramano (Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee)
Sizwe Nxasana (Chair of the Fundraising Committee)
Prof Michael Katz
Kgomotso Makhupola
Minister Tito Mboweni
Minister Ebrahim Patel
Thulani Tshefutu
Let’s join together to make a real difference to those South Africans who need it most now.
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay isolated to win against COVID-19.
Sharon Constançon
SACC Chairman
Dr Enthoven speaking on the Solidarity Fund and the impact of COVID-19 on South Africans.
