ALL IN Following the sudden shift from business as usual, Downings is pulling out all the stops, using as many resources as it can to make a meaningful contribution in the fight against Covid-19.
M
any said it was only a matter of time before we reached a crisis on the scale of this pandemic. In a 2015 TED Talk, Bill Gates spoke on a virus that is as virulent as the novel coronavirus being the single greatest threat to mankind, and no truer words could have been spoken. From healthcare systems being overwhelmed, to crashing economies and millions across the world without jobs who are facing destitution, the impacts of this pandemic have been much wider felt than just its physical threat alone. In South Africa, the strict lockdown measures that were implemented within weeks of the first case of Covid-19 making itself known have been drastic albeit necessary. While we have all been affected at different levels, we at Downings realise that, being in the business of marquees and temporary structures, we can make a difference.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT More recently, Downings has been assisting the City of Cape Town with the supply and installation of marquee infrastructure to accommodate the homeless at a place of safety at the Strandfontein Sports Complex. This includes numerous marquee tents with flooring, doors and ventilation systems. In addition, we supplied showers and washing facilities with hot running water, as well as ablutions, fencing and lighting, with electrical requirements meeting all industry standards. In order for the City’s management team to have full visibility over the facility, a 10 m x 10 m doubledecker marquee was installed to serve as the Joint Operations Centre. We are proud to have delivered this ‘truly South African’ marquee structure that was designed and manufactured by our sister company, Speed Structures. The Strandfontein installation was a massive undertaking that needed to be completed in a very short space of time and would not have been possible without the full commitment of our teams and support from our service providers.
12 • LOCKDOWN HEROES | MEETINGS 2020
Through our existing social upliftment endeavours, we have partnered with NGOs to supply infrastructure and equipment for numerous Covid-19 testing and isolation units at various state hospitals across the country. We have also helped our local municipality with temporary shelters to Strand residents whose homes were destroyed by fire on the eve of lockdown. We donated 100 tents to Gift of the Givers for displaced families in Khayelitsha and donated the use of 300 blue dome tents to the City of Cape Town. As challenging and uncertain as life may be at the moment, embrace the uncertainty and remember when nothing is certain, anything is possible. We are all in this together and together we will see this through. Downings will continue the fight against Covid-19 and would like to thank every extraordinary South African working on the frontline and those at home. Be well, be safe and blessings to you all.
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Nelson Mandela
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