Solidarity Fund grows to R2.6bn; approves R1.1bn for PPE

The Solidarity Fund, that was put in place to help South Africa's fight against the Coronavirus has grown to R2.6bn. The Fund has a new board and the interim CEO Nomkhita Nqweni said that it was independent from government. So far the fund has approved R1.1bn for protection equipment for the health care sector; this includes 200 ventilators. By the end of the week the Fund expects to deliver 250,000 food parcels to poorer households. PwC has been appointed as the external auditor and the health-procurement function is being done through Business for South Africa. The Chair of the Fund, Gloria Serobe said in a media webinar this morning that the fund was a symbol of the enormous resilience of South Africans. - Linda van Tilburg