"With the support of industry partners, corporate sponsors and our members, we were also able to deliver food parcels, as well as provide cloth masks. ![]() "Vouchers are still being distributed via mobile phones as funds come through Fibre Circle," says Francois Marais, Fibre Circle manager, who adds that tax exemption is available on donations as it is a registered public benefit organisation. DFFE regional offices, the African Reclaimers Organisation and the Waste Pickers Association of South Africa facilitated the supply of names and phone numbers as did buy back centres and producer responsibility organisations. Some 8000 collectors to date have received food vouchers valued at R200 each. Molony adds that the paper industry partnered with Packaging SA members and other producer responsible organisations and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) to help alleviate their plight. "Informal waste collectors and their families took a financial knock when they were not allowed to operate under Level 5 regulations," notes Molony. PAMSA and the industry’s producer responsibility organisation Fibre Circle have also been reaching out to communities around the country and the Ekurhuleni region. Collaborative effort brings relief to communities Some even went to fetch learners’ phones, while Ligbron ensured that they had Internet access. ![]() Principals went out of their way to help learners download e-books to their phones. Data access and costs are an obstacle for many learners. With the help of Mondi, Ligbron has equipped Grade 11 and 12s in four rural KwaZulu-Natal schools with e-learning systems along with free access to e-books. The NGO uses technology to improve the quality of teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and maths, two subjects which are key in the pulp and paper industry. Mondi has partnered with Ligbron Academy of Technology since 2019 to address STEM educational gaps in rural communities through e-learning. It is great to see Covid-19 infographic posters put up in tuckshops around my area." Mondi enables education through e-learning during lockdown People are using masks correctly which is important as the economy slowly opens up. "I am very pleased that I have seen a change in their behaviour. Ntando Sawoni, an umshintshi in the Njavini community has been creating awareness around Covid-19 to her close friends, community members and church groups. "Instead, they are using their peer influence to inform communities about Covid-19 using technology." "Normally they would be arranging the Sappi-sponsored school holiday programmes to keep youngsters entertained, but the lockdown has disrupted these plans," says Mpho Lethoko, Sappi Southern Africa communications manager. ![]() The messages - in English and isiZulu - deal with personal hygiene, social distancing, how to wear and care for masks, how to identify Covid-19 symptoms, how to self-isolate and how to cope with stress and anxiety. Sappi Southern Africa has produced a useful set of illustrated messages to support their social media efforts. Trained to facilitate social mobilisation and behaviour change, the Abashintshi are using their influence to spread information about the coronavirus and Covid-19. The Abashintshi - an isiZulu word meaning the 'changers' - are a group of enthusiastic youngsters who have received community development training through Sappi over past few years. "In honour of Youth Day 2020, we wanted to share some of the great work that our members has been doing for younger generations." Sappi empowers young Abashintshi changemakers to deal with Covid-19 ![]() "Our sector as a whole has been agile in its response to Covid-19, especially with food relief, and access to water and sanitation,” says Jane Molony, executive director of PAMSA, adding the sector has been operating since Level 5. It has also stirred many sectors not to "go back to normal” but to "build back better"(#BuildBackBetter) by mobilising resources, tackling inequality and improving infrastructure. The effect of Covid-19 and lockdown on children and youngsters have been a case for debate and study, from lack of access to data or devices for online learning to the mental health issues.
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