South African public benefit organisation OneAfrica has kicked off its Food Essentials Platform as part of its relief effort during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and has further donated 1 000 food vouchers to support vulnerable households.

Details of OneAfrica’s initiative can be found on its website and it calls on individuals and corporates to make an impact during the pandemic and help those in need by purchasing food vouchers for values between R100 and R1 000.

Individuals will either be able to purchase vouchers for people they know, using their mobile numbers, or donate to selected organisations who have linked up with OneAfrica to distribute the Food Essential Vouchers campaign.

Recipients of a Food Essential Voucher will receive an SMS with instructions and a unique code that must be shown to the teller at check out in-store.

These vouchers will be used to buy essential goods and can be redeemed at major retailers that have partnered with the initiative, including Pick n Pay, Shoprite & Checkers, Boxer, Baby City and Makro, among others.

OneAfrica founder Ebrahim Rasool explained that the organisation aimed to bridge the gap that existed between people of different nationalities at a community level, as well as through both the private and public sectors across Africa.

“The present crisis has opened opportunities for ordinary people to demonstrate their capacity to work together. Many South Africans have shown empathy and tremendous generosity by contributing to the Solidarity Fund and other causes for the vulnerable,” he said.

As the country fights Covid-19, Rasool said the pandemic can also be used as a catalyst for social change going forward.