Latest News | 28 Apr 2020 | By Sun International
Sibaya Community Trust invests R4.5 million in the fight against COVID-19
Sibaya Casino. Pictured from left to right: Deshun Naidoo, trustee, MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, Premier of KZN Sihle Zikalala, Vivian Reddy, Chairman of the Trust, and Myan Moodley, General Manager of Sibaya Casino.
At a ceremonial handover on 24 April attended by Kwazulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala and Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, the Sibaya Community Trust donated 300 000 masks valued at R4.5 million to the KwaZulu-Natal Government to help stop the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.
Trust Chairman Vivian Reddy said they decided to act because there is a dire shortage of masks, particularly in impoverished areas.
“Research has shown that the use of these masks can be effective in stopping the spread of the virus. When we heard there was a shortage, we felt that we needed to step in. To us, there is no better investment than in one that save lives,” Reddy said.
Reddy confirmed that the Trust would be providing the masks to the provincial government, who would distribute them to residents in informal communities and frontline workers, including nurses, doctors, and clinic and community workers.
He also sent a message to the public and workers on the frontlines.
“I must say a big thank you to essential and frontline workers. You have been doing a sterling job, and I hope the gear we are providing will offer you greater protection against this wretched virus.
“Secondly, I would like to remind members of the public that each of us only has one life and we should respect it. Please practise social distancing and only leave home for emergency purposes,” he said.
This initiative follows the donation of disposable nappies worth R700 000 and sanitary pads valued at R2.5 million to the provincial government by the Vivian Reddy Foundation at the start of the Covid-19 national lockdown.