Heeding President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for greater private sector support in the fight against Covid-19, the Massmart board and executive committee will personally fund, through a waiver of a portion of their monthly remuneration, 230 tonnes of food for distribution to vulnerable communities.

This personal contribution will be made to non-profit food redistribution organisation FoodForward South Africa via deliveries of 77 tonnes of food per month, for three months starting in April.

Walmart International will match the Massmart board and executive committee contribution by donating a further 230 tonnes of food to FoodForward SA during the same time period. The overall combined contribution will, therefore, amount to the supply of 460 tonnes of food over three months. This contribution translates into the provision of approximately is 1.85 million meals.

Commenting on the announcement, Massmart chairman, Kuseni Dlamini said: “As a company deeply rooted in South Africa, we have been filled with pride by the leadership displayed by our President and wanted, in our own small way, to model the example that he has set.”

Mitch Slape, the Massmart chief executive added: “In discussion with FoodForward SA we found that they have seen a significant increase in food insecurity arising from the Covid-19 disruption to economic activity, particularly amongst people employed in the informal sector. FoodForward is an impressive existing partner of ours and it was an easy decision to help out by making this contribution.”

Acknowledging the Massmart top leadership contribution, Andy Du Plessis,managing director of Food Forward South Africa, said: “Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining a strong immune system. Without access to proper nutrition, the vulnerable in our society are at even greater risk, particularly with the imminent onset of winter. The next few months are going to be extremely difficult for food-insecure communities and we hope that others will follow the lead of the Massmart executive committee and their non-executive directors.”

Acknowledging the Massmart top leadership contribution, Andy Du Plessis,managing director of Food Forward South Africa, said: “Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining a strong immune system. Without access to proper nutrition, the vulnerable in our society are at even greater risk, particularly with the imminent onset of winter. The next few months are going to be extremely difficult for food-insecure communities and we hope that others will follow the lead of the Massmart executive committee and their non-executive directors.”

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