SAB’s total response to the pandemic calls for ongoing effort
SAB reflects on its contribution to fight the impact of COVID-19 and calls upon South Africans to do their part.
The past two years been incredibly challenging on the lives and livelihoods of millions of South Africans and it is though the resilience of our people that they have been able to courageously survive against the odds. In this time, the South African Breweries (SAB), have always believed in supporting healthy and thriving communities and has made this possible through various partnerships with the various government stakeholders including the Department of Health in Gauteng and Limpopo, as well as supporting the Deputy President with the national Vooma Vaccination drives.
To date, SAB has vaccinated thousands of people at 14 pop-up vaccination sites in its breweries and depots across the country. Beyond its owned properties, SAB has also leveraged its tavern and restaurant owners to create tavern vaccination rallies in partnership with the National Liquor Traders Association and the Restaurant Association of South Africa.
Regional Corporate Affairs Director at SAB, Kgosi Mogotsi says, “We are proud that we can use our position in society and in the economy to play a key role in getting more South Africans vaccinated. We will continue to utilize our various media platforms to drive the vaccination message to people until the last dose is administered.”
The brewer even extended sponsorship efforts to support the Minister of Sports during the stadium vaccination campaigns. To date, SAB has donated over R780 000 towards merchandising, transportation and catering requirements (amongst other things), to ensure the campaign was successful in vaccinating the various provinces it targets. SAB has so far supported the Department of Sports & Recreation in six of these events across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape.
“As an organisation that has always believed in the power of dreaming big, we are determined to be part of the socio-economic recovery and transformation of South Africa. For us that means creating a future with more cheers starts with an accelerated vaccination rollout. But we know that the impact of this pandemic extends beyond vaccinations and corporates are in a unique position to provide support,” says Mogotsi.
Over the last two years, before the vaccination became a national priority, Mogotsi says SAB has rallied together to provide South Africa with the following support:
- 150 000 litres of hand sanitisers donated to key government departments
- 28 000 Safety pack donated to taverns
- 100 000 face shields donated to key government departments
- R50 000 000 worth of PPE and medical aid supplies donated to Gauteng and Eastern Cape health department
- 55 000 meals distributed to communities in need
- 17 000 food parcels donated to taverns
- R7 000 000 donated to the Solidarity Fund
“By consolidating our efforts, we can always do more. Between corporate South Africa, government and our communities, we have the power to defeat this pandemic and come out the other side stronger than ever,” says Mogotsi.
