SOCIAL UNREST...OUR INTERVENTION

Gift of the Givers embarked onmassive foodparcel deliverycampaign, taking supplies to seriously affected areas fordistribution - especially in termsof those unable to spend exhaustive time in queues, being the elderlyand infirm, medical and emergency front-line staff. The organisation initially prioritised old age homes,orphanages and other similar institutions,and their staff, as recipients for supplies.

Taking a longer-term view, Gift of the Givers also developed a plan to assist families whose breadwinners lost their jobs as a result of the destruction of the businesses which employed them in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and many similarlyaffected areas acrossKwaZulu-Natal

In addition, the organisation swiftly engaged with medical associations to devise plans to assist them get back up and running, given the essential status oftheirservices.

Many family-owned microand small businesses weredestroyed leaving owners - many withoutinsurance uponwhich to rely- toface enormouslevels of debtgiven the pandemic- and, now,noincome. Accordingly, Gift of the Givers began identifying microand small businesses requiring assistance in the formof cash and supply chain support, as a means of helping torebuild and re-establish brokenenterprises.

CRIPPLING ACTION- CONTEXT

Actionsofthefew: The recentpublic disorder in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng had the effect of eroding race relations, glorifyinglooting, destroying livelihoods, putting in peril hundreds of thousands of jobs, denying health-care workers access toneedy patients, robbing babiesof formula milk and preventing access by the elderly, infirm,physically challenged - and ordinary peoplefrom all walks oflife - tobasic foods and medical supplies. Emergencyservices - medical, fire and police - werecrippled bythe lack of fuel and severely ill COVID-19 patients weredeniedaccess tovital medical facilities.

Socialactivism: But, this is South Africa...a nation steeped in a sense of Ubuntu,resilience, heart and ethics. South Africa’s peoplerefused toallow their communities tobe tornapart, ortogive up a countrywhichhas come so far since the 1994 dawn ofdemocracy.

ThepeopleofSouth Africa stood up, stood firm. Social activism and civic responsibilitytriumphed,with citizens banding togetherto protect,defendand unify ourcommunities at a time when ourGovernment and leadership failed spectacularly. Taxi bodies, community organisations,responsible leaders and rational thinkers made theirvoices heard and the people- Black, White, Coloured and Indian, local or foreign - rallied, unitingmorestrongly than ever before.

GIFTOFTHEGIVERS - OURINTERVENTION

Responding tothe crisisand in spite of safe mobilityconcerns, Gift of the Givers responded swiftly, put its entire disaster relief machinery into action.

Looting and rioting compounded an already serious hunger problemin many disadvantaged communities, the consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.

With Pietermaritzburg and Durban being home tomajor suppliersof foodand other items, many areas became totally cut-off, the result of the burning of trucks, highway closures, the destruction of shops, warehouses and attendant fuel shortages,all of which preventedmany from accessing essential food supplies.

Howtodonate

Gift ofthe Givers was - and is - committed toassisting in relieving the pain and suffering of those affected bythis social disorder and would welcome any donations in order tomake ourinterventions all the moretelling.

To donate online, go to: https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference/ and donateusing any one ofthe options provided.

For EFT donations: Gift of theGivers Foundation, Account number: 052137228, Bank: Standard Bank, Branch: Pietermaritzburg,South Africa, BranchCode: 057525.

Telephone: 0800 786 911, +27 (0)33 345 0163, +27 (0)33 345 0175

Address: 290 Prince Alfred Street, Pietermaritzburg,3200

Website: www.giftofthegivers.org

Email: info@giftofthegivers.org

NPO: 032-031