Top executives heed the President’s call for COVID-19 donations

Standard Bank is fully behind the initiatives by the South African government to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus and supports the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa for private sector donations to the Solidarity Fund.

South African businesses and individuals have stepped forward and answered the call in any way that they can. Funds, time, resources and skills have been offered in support of COVID-19 activities. Standard Bank has instituted a range of initiatives to support employees, customers and communities to fight the spread of the disease, and to cope with the impact of the lockdown. At the core, South Africa has stepped up to the challenge.

Standard Bank top executives based in South Africa have indicated overwhelming support for the call by the President for leaders and executives to make their own contributions to the Solidarity Fund set up to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the bank will set up a mechanism to enable them to make donations, over the next three months, to the Solidarity Fund and any other initiatives in support of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“We strongly believe that philanthropy is inherently from the heart and deeply personal. Contributions should be made on a voluntary basis and with accommodation for confidentiality where preferred,” said Standard Bank SA Chief Executive, Lungisa Fuzile.

He further stated: “At Standard Bank, we are conscious of the vital role that we must play to 'flatten the curve' of this infectious disease, and to assist those who are vulnerable and most in need. We are committed to social solidarity and to supporting the various public health initiatives and economic impact mitigation programmes that make a meaningful difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in our society”.