Tembisa and Ivory Park volunteers give back to their communities.

Always needed, Always there


During these trying times, we have seen many faces of human suffering. We are proud of our Tembisa and Ivory Park Volunteers who have sacrificed their stipends in the battle to help feed the needy. Our volunteers form these areas gathered their hard earned stipends to buy food parcels for Ten vulnerable homes in their area. We still don't know how to thank them for their noble deed.
Their efforts have helped us feed more families although we have limited resources. Their selflessness is highly appreciated.

Food parcels, COVID-19 Screening and testing in our Townships

Always needed, Always there

As there seems to be no ending in human suffering yet, we as the Johannesburg branch have been working hard in trying to save lives and also make lives a bit better for many vulnerable families. With the support of Land Rover SA, Jaguar SA, Mrs Minnie Dlamini Jones and the Minnie Dlamini Foundation, we have managed to give dignity packs to over 200 families in the past 48 hours.
We have also been conducting free testing and screening for COVID-19 in vulnerable communities since it is clear that  the majority of the people can not afford to pay for the services. Our commitment remains the same and that is to curb human suffering at all costs.

The battle against COVID-19 rages on in Cosmo City

Always needed, Always there

As there future looks bleak due to the impact of the Novel Corona virus, our ground warriors have been working hard to educate the public about the disease. They have been teaching people on steps to take in order to avoid infections or spreading the disease. We have been placing placards at shopping centers and taxi ranks so that the public will stay updated and knowledgeable when in comes to beating COVID-19.
The education and training will continue in Cosmo City, Diepsloot and Honeydew.

COVID-19 and hunger in Alexandra

Always needed, Always there

As the dreaded disease ravages our communities, people are not able to work or fend for themselves. We have been doing our best to help them with the basic necessities and it is tough for many.
We have found ourselves having to feed people through our Hot Meal program every day. We appeal to all heartfelt people to help us in making human lives a bliss.
The township of Alexandra has seen a surge in population, unemployment and hunger hence we are on our toes in helping them. During all the events, we have also been recruiting more volunteers and training them on how to help others regarding COVID-19

Screening for COVID-19 in Alexandra

Always needed, Always there

The battle against COVID-19 continues, we have seen the strain in resources within communities. As the South African Red Cross Society Johannesburg branch, we have decided to help those in need by availing free screening and testing in vulnerable communities.
 we have intensified our screening and testing in Alexandra due to the over population and also the fact that many people can not afford to pay for tests. We will be working in different townships until the situation gets better.

COVID-19 education and posters for Cosmo City residents

Always needed, Always there

As the battle against the Novel Corona virus continues, The South African Red Cross Society Johannesburg branch has been up in arms against this deadly disease. Our forever hard working well wishers and volunteers have upped their game when it comes to teaching the public about safety measures.

we have been in Cosmo City at all major points to help teach people about this disease and how to avoid infection or spreading it. We also hanged posters at Shop entrances and ATM's so that people will have access to the much needed information.

The battle against COVID-19 and Poverty intensifies

Always needed, Always there

As today marks 138 years of the Red Cross Society, the South African Red Cross society has intensified the battle against human suffering, poverty and diseases. With COVID-19 as the new kid on the block of killer diseases, the Red Cross Society in Johannesburg is leading in the fight against this Novel disease. In South Africa, due to the lock down in order to curb the further spread of the disease, many families have been left to starve due to lack of income.

In the past few days we have tailed the two men at the forefront, Mr Nathan Banda the Branch Manger and Mr Duncan Netshituka the Communications, Fundraising and Resources Mobilization manager. These two men are leading a team of over 150 Volunteers in various parts of Johannesburg  they are busy helping the needy by distributing much needed food parcels, sanitizers, face masks , winter clothes and much needed toiletries.

Mr Netshituka confirmed that there is still a long way to go and the mammoth task will be made possible if everyone in the society gets involved and lends a helping hand, be it giving their time, money or any donations .

As seen on Thursday 07 May 2020 Food parcels worth over R800 each were given to families in need in the Johannesburg Metro and areas like Rossetenville, South hills, Alexandra, Newlands and Mayfair.

All this distribution was made possible by the donations from the public and business entities.

For any donations or inquiries please contact Mr Duncan Netshituka on 0614901509 and Mr Nathan Banda on 0823533738

All donations come in handy in times of need and having stockpiles of non perishables will enable the South African Red Cross Society to readily assist when needed.

These gentlemen have expressed gratitude and happiness towards the help they have received.

With the infection rate spiralling hig, there is still a lot of work to do.

Fighting COVID-19 head on in Johannesburg

Always needed, Always there

In the recent months, we have seen surge in infections of the Novel Corona virus. Its rapid spread and wrath have spread across South Africa causing major panic, affecting all sectors of the economy and livelihoods.

Within this journey to win the battle again COVID-19, we have seen a lot of NGO’s taking part in trying their best to save lives.

Ones of the NGO’s at the forefront of this battle is the South African Red Cross Society’s Johannesburg metro branch which is headed by Mr Nathan Banda (Branch Manger) and his army of volunteers.  These brave unsung heroes of our time have been busy education people on ways of preventing the further spread of the killer disease and also making sure that all safety measures are implemented in some of the communities, namely: Diepsloot, Alexandra, Cosmo City, Tembisa, Hillbrow, Newlands, Brixton and Downtown Johannesburg.

They have trained over 150 volunteers about the Novel Corona virus, how to stay safe from it and how to manage suspicious cases and whom to contact should there be suspicion that someone is infected. These warriors have gone as far as distributing free sanitizers, masks and vinyl gloves to the needy within informal settlements and also to the homeless.  All this comes with a lot of information in pamphlets and posters. Locals have also received a lot of information regarding staying at home and implementation of Social Distancing though training and also posters with steps to be followed.

Due to the scourge of this pandemic, many families have been severely affected since then, no economic activities were happening, this meant that people could not go to work and that has led to starvation and lack of crucial necessities like toiletries and food. Again the Johannesburg Branch of the South African Red Cross Society has been distributing food parcels and toiletries to most affected communities and families.

On the 4^th of May 2020, we spoke to Mr Duncan Netshituka who is currently handling Fundraising and Resources Mobilization for the Johannesburg branch and he confirmed to us that they have serious challenges and those challenges are as follows:  Lack of transport of volunteers, Lack of funds to print more educational materials, lack of funds to buy more sanitizers and masks that are to be given to the vulnerable, lack of money to buy more food that is dearly needed by the affected.

Mr Duncan Netshituka has advised that if anyone one wants to join this battle or help in any way, they must call him or Mr Nathan Banda on the following details: Duncan Netshituka- +27 614901509

Nathan Banda: +27 823533738

Emails: joburg@redcross.org.za, nathanbanda0404@gmail.com, dnetshituka@icloud.com

Many people have been affected by this pandemic and it is important that we all follow the rules and stay safe.