If you see a man driving around Gauteng, wearing a black mask with a white logo on the side, stopping every now and then to hop out of his car and dish out pieces of fabric or bottles or clear liquid, you need wonder no longer who he is and what he is up to. It’s Peet Viljoen, well-known Pretoria philanthropist and CEO of Tammy Taylor Nails South Africa, a leader in the beauty salon industry in South Africa, and he’s handing out free face masks and hand sanitizer to those who need them.
He’s been referred to as the James Bond of Philanthropy, getting the job of giving done with a quiet efficiency, making sure that every day, he’s making a difference in someone’s life.
Read more about: Businessman Peet Viljoen Remembering the Poor in the Fight Against COVID-19
“We already had a fully-equipped textile manufacturing and fabric stitching operation that we used to manufacture uniforms, masks and other clothing items for the beauty industry,” explains Peet.
“We quickly found a way to repurpose this factory to mass-produce face masks. Not only are these masks available to the public to purchase, but we are able to donate large quantities to various deserving members of society, and their families. Wearing a mask might seem like a small part of protecting oneself against COVID-19, but for someone who could not otherwise afford one, this simple donation can make a world of difference. We even manufacture masks in a children’s size, which has proven to be very popular.”
Since before the lockdown, Peet has been distributing these masks to South African police officers, army personnel, healthcare workers, children’s homes, animals shelters, security guards, the elderly, retail workers, petrol attendants, people queuing for SASSA grants, and others who cannot afford their own mask, or do not have access to purchasing one.
The fabric masks are both reversible and washable, and can be disinfected, making them reusable. The outer layer features moisture-wicking fabric that does not trap moisture and offers exceptional breathability. “Our masks are also water-resistant and tear-resistant, with 500-thread cotton twill on the inner layer, making them comfortable as well as durable,” explains Peet Viljoen.
“Handing out free masks may seem like a small gesture to some, but it is initiatives like this that will help flatten the curve in the spread of the virus in our country, and keep people out of hospitals and our already-constrained healthcare facilities. I would challenge every business that has the means to donate protective gear to those less fortunate, to do so without delay, and assist our government in protecting our people against this deadly threat.”
“People might call me James Bond, but the true heroes of the lockdown are our essential workers, and those just doing their best to get by,” says Peet. “The people who provide us with basic healthcare, who put food on the table, who bring that food to the retail outlets, and who ensure that shops are cleaned and sanitised so that the rest of us have access – these are our superheroes. Our police officers and members of the armed forces particularly, are a shining example of putting their lives on the line for us, putting themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us can stay at home during this time. They should be celebrated for their dedication and commitment, and the least I could do was assist with protective gear where possible.”
In addition to distributing free face masks, Peet also commissioned the manufacture of hand sanitizer consisting of 70% alcohol, and has distributed this free of charge alongside the masks.
“It’s another way to help people protect themselves and their families,” he says. “When lockdown started, I saw how South Africa experienced a country-wide shortage of face masks and hand sanitizer, and I set about doing something about the problem. If these products couldn’t be purchased, I was going to have them made. There is always a way to be found, a plan to be made.”
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