.png)
Mary Oppenheimer and Daughters to give R1 billion to the Solidarity Fund in the fight against COVID-19 in South Africa.
South Africa (1 April 2020) – Mary Oppenheimer and Daughters have joined all South Africans in expressing their profound hope that, together, we can overcome this grave challenge to our country and to the world.
Mary Oppenheimer, the daughter of the late mining magnate Harry Oppenheimer, and her daughters will be donating R1 billion to the solidarity fund aimed at fighting the coronavirus, following in the footsteps of other prominent South African business families.
The donation is separate from the South African Future Trust initiative launched by her brother Nicky Oppenheimer last week.
“Under the wise leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africans are following the government’s directives to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We realise, however, that until this pandemic passes, our country will experience enormous difficulties and hardships.” This donation is in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for corporate companies and individuals to help in the fight against COVID-19 in the country through the Solidarity Fund. The key objective of the fund is to ensure that the most efficient and impactful allocation of capital is made to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable members of society.
“This unprecedented situation is placing strain on all our lives – but especially on our vulnerable communities, South Africans who struggle even in normal times to meet the basic needs of their families, to buy food and pay for medical and other necessities. My daughters and I have thought long and hard about where we could make the greatest difference in this fight and have decided it is to support the humanitarian needs of everyone living in South Africa. So, we think that it is the Solidarity Fund which is most aligned to our concerns about basic needs, food, medicine, general care and gender abuse. We are grateful for all the other efforts, small and large, that South Africans are making to help our country through this difficult time. We are especially proud of my brother, Nicky, and his family’s patriotism in launching a separate initiative, The South African Future Trust (SAFT), last week.
In addition, there are so many people to thank from all parts of our government and the private sector, who are providing essential services; and especially our healthcare workers – our hospitals’ support staff, nurses and doctors – who are risking their lives to save everyone in South Africa most affected by COVID-19.
We salute you.”