A Solidarity Fund has been established to help track the spread of the coronavirus, care for the ill and support those whose lives have been disrupted.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement in an address to the nation last night.
He also announced a three week lockdown starting at midnight on Thursday.
The army will assist the police.
Ramaphosa says businesses, organisations and individuals are urged to contribute to the fund which will complement government efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund is to be chaired by prominent businesswoman Gloria Serobe and lead by a board of eminent persons.
“Government is providing seed capital of R150 million and the private sector has already pledged to support this fund with financial contributions in the coming period. We will be spending money to save lives and to support the economy.”
“In this regard, we must applaud the commitment made in this time of crisis by the Rupert and Oppenheimer families of R1 billion each to assist small businesses and their employees affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” explains Ramaphosa.
In the video below, President Ramaphosa explains how the Solidarity Fund will work
SA under national lockdown for 21 days
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a national lockdown for 21 days.
Addressing South Africans on government’s measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, Ramaphosa says the lockdown will start on midnight Thursday, 26 March till 16 April.
In the video below, President Ramaphosa addresses the nation on coronavirus
The infographic looks at five economic measures during the lockdown:
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Guys. I need a loose draw, but now I’m afraid of Mabena.#NationalLockdown pic.twitter.com/6Z1aCXkjdH
— that guy (@piratedaddyZA) March 23, 2020
May God protect our Nation and preserve our President as we face our greatest national crisis. The spirit of South Africa will not be defeated. Together we can overcome. Help each other, show kindness. We can do this.#Ramaphosa #NationalLockDown #SouthAfrica #LockDownSouthAfrica https://t.co/y3ZNBrGCAy
— Simon Grindrod (@SimonPGrindrod) March 23, 2020
