AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
THE board of directors and the executive of a leading South African fishing company have made unique sacrifices to raise millions to assist those plunged into poverty by COVID-19.
The board has sacrificed its fees and the executive their pay and the money has been channelled through hunger alleviation non-government organisations to the poor.
The initiative has raised a total of R3 million, part of which has supported projects managed by FoodForward SA, the largest food redistribution organisation in South Africa. A donation of R724,953 enabled FoodForward SA to provide food equivalent to over 852,886 meals.
As the home of the iconic Lucky Star brand, the group also donated over 2,400 cans for distribution to relief organisations in the Eastern Cape.
Oceana’s Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Executive Zodwa Velleman said: “At Oceana, we base our actions on the philosophy that those of us who live above the breadline have a responsibility to those who live below it. The donation to FoodForward SA is part of Oceana’s efforts to counter the growing threat of hunger brought on by the deep socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The non-governmental sector in South Africa has reported increased hunger levels as there is deepening poverty due to the pandemic.
“We trust that this will bring some measure of hunger relief to the most vulnerable in our country at this most challenging of times,” Velleman said. “We believe that it is only through collaboration that we will be able to overcome this crisis and positively impact lives.”
FoodForward SA Managing Director Andy Du Plessis said: “This generous gift from Oceana helps make a huge difference to the work that we do with our beneficiary organisations among communities in desperate need. Sometimes the challenge of poverty and associated hunger looks insurmountable, but through partnerships such as the one we have with Oceana, we can overcome this. Thank you, Oceana, for the fine example of corporate and individual citizenship.”
FoodForward SA was established in 2009 to address widespread hunger in South Africa and works with retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, farmers and growers in the consumer goods supply chain to recover quality edible surplus food for distribution to community organisations that serve the poor.
The organisation also accepts financial donations, which it utilises at a cost of only R0,85 per meal, to supplying nutritious food to those in need.
