On 23 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the Solidarity Fund, a financing vehicle to help fight the spread of and to care for those who become ill from COVID-19. Individuals and businesses can contribute to the fund through secured, tax deductible donations.
The aim of the fund includes:
- Prevention – Prevent the spread of the disease by supporting measures to “flatten the curve” and lower infection rates;
- Detection – Detect and understand the magnitude of the disease;
- Care – Care for those in hospital or medical care; and
- Support – Support those whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic.
In this regard, the fund will help finance the country’s COVID-19 health response, humanitarian efforts and on driving a solidarity campaign through mobilising and motivating South African citizens to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
On 9 April 2020, President Ramaposa announced that R1 billion of the fund had been allocated to buy sterile gloves, face shields, surgical masks, virus test kits and ventilators; and that funds will also be allocated for humanitarian relief to vulnerable households.