JSE, BLSA Partner to Assist Disadvantaged Communities in South Africa Fight Against COVID-19

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) have partnered and each donated R1 million towards social outreach hygiene hampers and food parcels to assist disadvantaged communities in Gauteng as the country battles the covid-19 pandemic.

”In our joint fight as a country against the coronavirus, vulnerable communities are the hardest hit and require our assistance to meet some of the basic protocols to flatten the curve and limit the spread of covid-19,” says JSE’s Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Zanele Morrison.

She says these are unprecedented times, requiring us to heed the call as businesses and supply basic items such as food and hygiene hampers.  Businesses all across South Africa, those that can, have really stepped up, collaborated for a common purpose through various initiatives.  What is needed to support communities is luckily unambiguous and we took the opportunity to ensure direct assistance through our current NGO’s partners,” says Morrison.

The food parcels are being distributed by the Gift of the Givers Foundation and the hygiene hampers distributed through Africa Tikkun, one of the JSE’s CSI beneficiaries to the identified communities.  The hampers consist of tissues, alcohol-based hand sanitisers, antibacterial soap, and an information leaflet illustrating the use of the products, in English, IsiZulu and Tswana.

”We all have a role to play in supporting the national efforts, says BLSA’s CEO, Busisiwe Mavuso. ”The impact, however, will only truly be felt when we bring our resources together, be they monetary, intellectual or logistical. When we bring forth our best attributes, we ensure that our contribution to this fight will outlive the current season.”

”Together we can certainly do more to benefit our country during this time. Social responsibility beckons organisations to find the need in our communities and meet it where we can. Provision of hygiene products and education is fully aligned with the national agenda at present,” concludes Morrison.