SIOC Community Development Trust embarks on a three-layered approach to combat COVID-19

Thabazimbi – SIOC Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) is a people-centred organisation aimed at developing beneficiary stakeholders adjacent to the SIOC (Pty) Ltd mines to be sustainable and thrive beyond mine closure.

The organisation achieves this by responding to prevalent needs through strategic interventions. As a result, an internal COVID-19 relief team was established to respond to the three urgent needs (as a result of the pandemic) within the five beneficiary communities.

The three-phased approach will help:

1. Feed underprivileged citizens whilst lessening the probability of them going to congested areas in search of sustenance.

2. Health worker, disaster management personnel and patients to stay safe during consultations.

3. Equip local municipality for testing and isolation of COVID-19 patients.

More than 5,000 indigent families, predominantly those who lost their income as a result of the national lockdown, received food parcels. Distribution was tailormade for each municipality in partnership with the Department of Social Development, local municipalities and other developmental partners to avoid double-dipping, gain easy access to rightful beneficiaries, and ensure timeous deliveries.

In addition, SIOC-CDT supported over 50 healthcare facilities by donating more than 30,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) items to the Department of Health in the Thabazimbi, Tsantsabane and John Taolo Gaetsewe regions.

The journey to sustainable development continues with close to R9 million dedicated to this COVID-19 1st Response Programme.

SIOC press release extracts, 18 May 2020