The funds will be used to provide much-needed relief to beneficiaries of the Solidarity Fund that was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 23 March 2020, as he informed the nation of the imminent lockdown intended to curb the spread of the global virus.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, has in consultation with the National Lotteries Commission board made the request in line with the Lotteries Act of 1997.
The Commission’s Proactive Funding Policy is implemented as per the Lotteries Act No 57 of 1997, as amended, and has been approved in line with sec 2A (3) of the Lotteries Amendment Act 32 of 2013. The Act states that the Commission may, upon request by the Minister, Board or on its own initiative in consultation with the board conduct research on worthy good causes that may be funded without lodging an application. This includes emergencies.
Through this mechanism, funding is able to reach the most vulnerable members of society and provide much-needed relief in emergency situations.
Here are the donation details for South Africa’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund:
- Bank: Standard Bank
- Branch name: Sandton City
- Branch code: 051001
- Account name: Solidarity Fund
- Account number: 023070021
- Account type: Current account
The fund will operate a call centre for donors, between 8AM and 6PM, on 0860 001 001 and can be emailed on info@responsefund.co.za
Meanwhile, SASSA has confirmed through Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu that the agency will disburse grants to both elders and disabled earlier than expected in April.
Between 30 and 31 April grants will be made available in an effort to relief the affected parties as the country battles with the spread of Coronavirus, reports Sello Nchoe.
However, she did mention to adhere to social distancing and avoid unnecessary long queues, the recipients should not withdraw money all at once.
