Shortly after parts of Gauteng were declared disaster areas, due to violent attacks on foreign nationals, cellular operator MTN, as well as technology group Altron, have joined the drive to assist the thousands of displaced individuals.
MTN has announced that is has donated R2.1 million to the South African Red Cross Society to assist victims of xenophobic attacks across the country. In addition, it will donate up to R3 million for goals scored at the Africa qualifiers for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, funds that will also be donated to the displaced foreign nationals.
The Altron group, through its principal subsidiaries, Altech, Bytes and Powertech, today donated food and supplies, as well as cash worth R200 000 to the Star's Operation Reach Out. This project is aimed at assisting people who were displaced by the xenophobic violence.
Last week, MTN competitor Vodacom spoke out about the xenophobia and announced it was setting up a fund to assist the victims, although it has not attached a value to its financial assistance as yet.
MTN group president and CEO Phuthuma Nhleko says: "As a South African company, with operations in Africa and the Middle East, we are very concerned by the spate of violent attacks against foreign nationals.
"We wish to send our condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in these attacks and express our sympathies to those who are affected."
MTN has handed over a cheque for R1.5 million to the Red Cross and made an in-kind contribution valued at over R670 000, including clothing and other items, as well as airtime and SIM cards for use by Red Cross volunteers.
ZTE Corporation SA, the manufacturer and solution provider for wireless base stations, terminals and networking products and supplier to MTN, has contributed handsets to be used by volunteers.
The Red Cross, together with various NGOs, has been providing emergency relief to affected people since the first attacks against foreigners took place in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, on 12 May.
Incoming secretary-general of the Red Cross Mandisa Kalako-Williams said: "Our association with MTN will ensure that the role of the Red Cross Movement in disaster management (pre, during and post the disaster) is enhanced and strengthened, allowing us to serve our mandate of upholding human dignity irrespective of race, colour, creed or religion, as prescribed by the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross Movement".
Altron group executive for corporate affairs Onkgopotse JJ Tabane said several Altron group companies, such as Aberdare Cables, Altech, and Strike Technologies, made donations to an internal Altron Appeal Fund, which the group launched last week.
"Our people have been extremely generous in their giving of commodities and perishable foods. Our hearts go out to all who have been displaced and we hope that this contribution will go a long way towards alleviating hardships resulting from the recent unrest in many parts of our country."
About 50 people have died and thousands have been displaced in the spate of violent attacks that have rocked the country in recent weeks.
Related stories:
Vodacom enters xenophobia debate
Share