Coronavirus: essential food aid in the townships of Johannesburg

Text by: RFI Follow

Faced with the difficulties of the most deprived populations, the government of Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to increase social assistance and to intensify the distribution of food. But associations are also trying to take over, for example in the township of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg. 

Publicity

With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Claire Bargelès 

People in difficulty can contact the Rays of Hope association, then volunteers come to their home to deliver a package. A solution found to avoid crowds. "  So in the packages we have, for example, corn flour, oil ... In fact all the essential food," explains Tintswalo Mabunda, one of the volunteers. We also put drinks and soap . " 

These are donations from companies or individuals who made it possible to buy all these commodities. Maseshaba receives his package with relief. Confined, she can no longer earn a living as a cleaning lady, and must take care of her two month old baby. "  It is really complicated, because now I have no salary, and I have a baby but I did not have time to register for social benefits. We are starving, really .... usually when I am not working, other people can help me, but there, as it is confinement, nobody has anything left.  " 

Rays of Hope normally leads other projects, but today, all efforts are put on food aid, according to director Sihle Mooi. "  The government is trying to help, but there are still many people who receive nothing. You know, every day, we meet men and women who tell us that they have eaten almost nothing for three days. So there are big needs. For this week, 1,500 packages should be distributed, which should provide food for approximately 9,000 people.  " 

The organization takes the opportunity to also distribute masks, which will become mandatory from Friday. In the poorest neighborhoods, people are finding it increasingly difficult to eat. According to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (HSRC), a quarter (exactly 24%) of the population no longer has enough money to buy food, a figure that rises to 55% in slums.

South Africa is expected to ease its containment starting Friday, when the country has 4,793 coronavirus positive cases and 90 deaths. Certain companies may resume their activities subject to conditions. But for the whole population, few rules will change.

Our selection on SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

• Listen to Coronavirus Info , daily chronicle on the pandemic

• Explanation:  The origins of the Covid-19

• Analyzes:
→  What strategies to face the epidemic ?
→  A vaccine, the only solution to stem the pandemic?
→  What impact on conflict zones?

• Practical questions:
→  What is known about the mode of contagion
→  What results for ongoing clinical trials?
→  How to make a mask and use it well

Find all our articles, reports, chronicles and programs on the coronavirus by clicking here .

See also the files of RFI Savoirs  on the Covid-19:
•  Birth of a pandemic
•  Everyday life put to the test
•  The history of epidemics
•  The science facing the Covid-19
•  The geopolitical consequences

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Coronavirus
• South Africa

On the same subject

Containment in South Africa: home beer is on the rise

Coronavirus: Africa faces the pandemic on Sunday, April 26

Coronavirus: arrival of Cuban doctors in South Africa