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.