Deputy Minister in the Presidency: Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize will visit Tswelopele Frail Care Centre in Hillbrow and Forest Farm Centre in Bryanston and to distribute care packages which include food items, treats for children, hand sanitisers, soaps and face masks to centres caring for persons with disabilities.

The visit takes place through a partnership between the department and Prodigy Business Services Pty Ltd to show support for centres caring for the elderly, frail persons, and children with disabilities during a time when support for these centres, from citizens, has slowed down due to the nation-wide lockdown currently underway. The packages will be handed out at 10 Centres across Gauteng. 

On 23 March 2020, President Ramaphosa announced that the National Coronavirus Command Council decided to enforce a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days with effect from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020. This is a decisive measure to save many South Africans from infection and save the lives of potentially hundreds of thousands of people.

“During this unprecedented humanitarian crisis, now, more than ever before, we must forge partnerships between government and civil society to assist those most at risk around us. The frail, elderly, and children with disabilities remain at the periphery of society and are most at risk during these times, as many rely on the kindness of care centres, amazing individuals, and strangers to take care of their basic needs,” said Deputy Minister Mkhize.

The sponsorship by Prodigy Business Services is a well-received intervention and demonstrates the role small, medium and micro-enterprises can play as South Africa navigates through a State of Disaster as we work to stop the transmission of COVID-19. “Now is the time for SMMEs to go above and beyond their business strategies to support the communities that support them. We need to reach out to organisations doing great work to support vulnerable groups, when so many are paralysed by fear, that these organisations find themselves struggling to cope. We know that the supply of these basic necessities will go a long way to help,” said Director of Prodigy Business, Ms Nerishni Shunmugam.

Deputy Minister Mkhize welcomed the involvement of small business in supporting at-risk groups within society. “Everyone has a role to play in flattening the curve, and this goes beyond just staying at home. People can follow safety protocols and regulations during the national lockdown and still support organisations that remain open to care for society’s most vulnerable, even if this is done through online donations,” added Deputy Minister Mkhize.

Ms Shunmugam, a qualified nurse by training, sees the need for all businesses to get involved to make an impact that society will remember as South Africa emerges from this global pandemic. The department encourages all small businesses to play their part by supporting those who require assistance during this difficult time. “Even if a business can reach out to a few of its clients/customers or those that reside in the vicinity within which it operates, to support in whatever little way, it would mean the world to the person or organisation receiving that support. Amidst this crisis, it is the most opportune time to show compassion,” concluded Deputy Minister Mkhize. 

The department continues to call on the country to abide by COVID-19 Lockdown regulations, and to remain vigilant during this period. You can play you part by:

• Staying at home and practising social distancing 
• Reporting abusers
• Supporting GBV survivors
• Creating awareness about gender-based violence and femicide.
• Seeking personal help to change harmful behaviours such as alcohol and substance abuse.
• Being vigilant to your surroundings and reporting suspected abuse. 
• Protecting children from exposure to violence and harmful content on radio, television, websites, and social media.

Know and share these contact details:

GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428 / *120*7867# from any cell phone

Persons with disabilities, SMS ‘help’ to 31531

Women Abuse Helpline: 0800 150 150

Child line: 0800 055 555

SAPS Crime Stop: 0860 10111

GBVF-related service complaints (SAPS): 0800 333 177/

complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za

National AIDS Helpline: 0800 012 322

National Human Trafficking Helpline: 0800 222 777

Suicide Helpline: 0800 567 567

National Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.za 

National Institute of Communicable Diseases: https://www.nicd.ac.za 

World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int 

Coronavirus Hotline: 0800 029 999

Issued by GCIS on behalf of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities