SEDIBENG.- Over the past two weeks, the ArcelorMittal Foundation, through Thusong Projects, has donated 600 food parcels in the most vulnerable communities in the Vaal area. Beneficiaries from the Vaal Oewer and Barrage informal settlements and nearby farming areas received food parcels consisting of non-perishable food items and fresh produce.
ArcelorMittal South Africa Chief Executive Officer, Kobus Verster, who was on hand to distribute the food parcels with his wife, Chantal, said: “With our home-base in the Vaal area, we are acutely aware of the growing need in local communities, which has now been exacerbated by the social and financial impact of Covid-19.
“As a business, we have taken drastic steps to ensure that we survive these difficult times, some of which will have an impact on our own employees. However, we cannot ignore the plight of those who live close to our operations.”
It was encouraging to see that the recommended prevention measure for Covid-19 are being taken seriously in communities as beneficiaries observed social distancing requirements, wore masks and used the hand sanitisers that were made available to them.
The food parcels are in addition to the ongoing work of the Thusong Projects Soup Kitchen, which has ramped up its food distribution service in the Vaal Triangle to serve over 1 000 people at least one nourishing meal a day.
“It is truly heartbreaking to see the desperate need in our local communities,” says Lindiwe Mahlangu, Managing Director of Thusong Projects. “This is a challenge that our government cannot tackle on its own and businesses will have to think differently about providing support that assists communities to become sustainable in the long-term.”
Thusong Projects is a strategic partner of the ArcelorMittal Foundation and together they invest in various community support and development initiatives focused on social welfare. Thusong Projects undertakes vital social responsibility work through donations of food and essential items to numerous NGOs – mostly charities, in Saldanha, Newcastle and the Vaal Triangle – and also delivers basic skills training and job creation initiatives in areas as diverse as sewing, arts and crafts and urban and commercial farming.
