Local company rekindles the spirit of ubuntu

Germiston-based company Veer Steel Mills has partnered with the City of Ekurhuleni and its Department of Community Safety in the fight against Covid-19.

The company is part of the campaign that has been providing families in Ekurhuleni with food parcels.

The food parcels were distributed to Thembisa, Winnie Mandela Park, Makause informal settlement, Marathon informal settlement and Goodhope informal settlement.

So far, the company has donated 300 food parcels to indigent families in Germiston and Thembisa.

“Covid-19 has had a widespread impact on our nation, more so on disadvantaged communities across South Africa.

“The critical consideration in dealing with Covid-19 is understanding that it is not experienced equally by all South Africans.

“We are all feeling the effects of this pandemic very differently, depending on where you reside and who you live with, how you earn money, your mental and physical health and your access to health care and basic amenities,” said Neil Reddy, business strategy and projects manager for Veer Steel Mills.

“Our strength and solidarity as a community is entirely dependent on the lengths we as individuals and as organisations are willing to go to to ensure the bottom of the pyramid experiences as little impact as possible.”

He said government has tried responding quickly and decisively in dealing with the outbreak of Covid-19, but they also need businesses to reach where they cannot.

“Government needs the support and innovation of the private sector more now than ever.

“Government has set the tone in terms of leadership and direction in response to Covid-19, and we are prepared to serve the communities in which we operate,” said Reddy.

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“By entering into partnerships with government, we are able to leverage existing community initiatives to maximise on their impact.

“The onus is on community leaders, business owners, non-profit organisations and municipalities alike to combine expertise, pool resources and drive education to combat this threat.”

He further said a mindset shift is needed to ensure that communities are best-equipped to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

“Communication campaigns tailored to local languages and with customs and cultures kept in mind must be in place to consistently raise awareness, reinforce health-care best practices and instil a sense of accountability within areas.

“An education exercise is essential to not only protect our workforce, but to equip them with the knowledge to keep their families, neighbours and communities safe and sanitary,” Reddy said.

“We have had to recondition our staff to operate safely under this new normal while at work, but we have also provided them with material to better identify symptoms and understand necessary hygiene and sanitisation measures.”

He said the spirit of ubuntu has to be rekindled.

“Vulnerable communities cannot be isolated in their struggle.

“In the spirit of ubuntu, it is the responsibility of every South African to fight the spread of Covid-19.

“In order for this fight to be effective, we are reliant upon South African ingenuity, compassion and collaboration to support one another through this pandemic,” said Reddy.

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