The restrictions put in place during lockdown have affected poor communities that rely on recycling and trading informally as a source of income. Children who would normally have their daily meal at schools have also been affected.

Kagiso Modise from Mohlakeng in Randfontein saw informal settlement dwellers close to where he lives struggling, and took it upon himself to share whatever food he has with them.

“I couldn’t bear seeing my fellow brothers and sisters being struck by poverty in the midst of Covid-19 so as a gesture of goodwill I cooked a meal for about 60 of them.”

Initially assisted by church leaders, Modise currently uses his own money to fund his initiative.

“I got assisted by the pastors at Pillar of Strength Ministries and Matshidiso Raikane. I hope to assist as many people as I can, but unfortunately due to lack of resources, I am challenged,” he says.

Modise says that he has taken extra precautionary measures to protect himself. “I was worried that I might get infected but I ensured that I maintain extra precautionary measures. I make sure that social distancing is maintained, equipment and hands are clean and sanitised and I also wear a mask,” he adds.

According to Amandla.mobi, low-income households are in crisis and are facing starvation. They also state that research by economists and experts working on the economic response to Coronavirus has revealed that “for households that rely on income from the informal labour market, food poverty rates could more than double over the three weeks of the lock-down period”.

The organisation, together with the Children’s Institute and other organisations are endorsing a letter calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to increase the child support grant with a top-up of R500 for the next six months. 

“By using the existing social grant infrastructure, the government can easily target these affected families and provide them with a much needed R500 top-up on social grants.” – Health-e News

For more information on Covid-19 in South Africa, you can call the toll-free line on 0800 029 999, or you can send a message that says “Hi” on WhatsApp to the number 060 012 3456. You can also visit the SA Coronavirus website.