AS the nation enters the second week of lockdown, many face concerns that outweigh the threat of the virus. For society’s most vulnerable members, access to food shelter and security are top priorities. In a bid to address social issues the Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education (TCAE) convened a meeting to discuss how civil society actors should respond to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa and the C-19 People’s Coalition was formed. Durban North resident, Lindsay Hopkins, who founded Waste Action Tribe and works as the project manager for the Litter4Tokens campaign, to combat plastic pollution and uplift rural communities, is one of 60 concerned citizens from KwaZulu-Natal who have joined the provincial branch of the coalition.
“We have split into several working groups that cover social issues around Gender Based Violence; basic needs groups and the homeless, including addicts, sex workers, informal traders living in hostels and street children. Another group focuses on food distribution, face masks, seedlings, compost, sanitiser and information pamphlets. Lastly there is a media and communications group dealing with a huge number of fake and misinterpreted messages around Covid-19,” she said.
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With the knowledge she has gained through her work in the community, Hopkins is assisting with the management and coordination of the KZN coalition, feeding into the national team.
“I support a number of NGOs with their ongoing projects so I have a strong base-knowledge of what’s going on in and around KZN’s rural communities. At Litter4Tokens we feed a number of communities already, so I know the needs of the people,” she said.
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Hopkins encouraged the community to support the coalition in serving those in need. Among their needs are financial support, food, clothing, bedding and face mask donations.
“We need help with logistics, we need trucks to deliver items. Seedlings and compost is another thing- we have to think about long term sustainability. We are also collecting bedding and clothing for people who have been displaced as a result of GBV or self-isolation. There are companies making masks and we would so appreciate some of those. If there are any food stores that are able to give us food products that are going to get to their sell-by date soon, or items with damaged packaging, anything will help right now,” said Hopkins.
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