#MANDELADAY2020

18 July 2020

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is poised to give practical expression to the essence of Mandela Day: “Take action, inspire change and make every day, a Mandela Day”, this year as the day takes place in the midst of the COVID-19 national and global crises.

As taking action in the traditional sense of 67 minutes of activity will be very unsafe and risky in the context of the pandemic, FEDUSA has decided to roll-out a number of programmes to give a helping hand to vulnerable members of communities such as the elderly in old age homes, children living in orphanages, victims of gender based violence living in shelters and frontline workers.

Specifically, the union federation is giving full expression to its recently launched Isibonelelo Fund to source and distribute food parcels and personal protective clothing (PPE) to these institutions. Equally important, FEDUSA is rolling-out extensive COVID-19 training and education sessions to all its affiliates across the country using Webinars and online technologies, to advance accessibility, familiarity and skills capability to all online platforms with the intent of bridging the divide and capitalising on the 4IR landscapes.

“In the context of the latest World Health Organization communication showing that community transmission of COVID-19 has become the biggest public health risk, FEDUSA calls on all our members, and the communities we are part of, this Mandela day, to do our best to stop the spread of the disease by staying at home as much as possible, washing their hands regularly and always wearing a mask in public spaces,” said FEDUSA General Secretary Riefdah Ajam.

“Furthermore, with the ongoing growth of Gender Based Violence, we also need to work hard to stop this scourge. Every one of us can combat gender- based violence by supporting our friends and family we know are in dangerous situations, donating to shelters and reiterating the call for ratify ILO convention C-190, which protects women in the place of work”.

          Ends

                 (325 Words)

For interviews please contact:

Ms Dorothy Nokuzola Ndhlovu

FEDUSA Vice President: Gender and Social Justice

076 424 8747

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Issued by:

Frank Nxumalo

FEDUSA Media and Research Officer

072 637 8096