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#SHARETHELOVE: UBUNTU INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
Masks create jobs
TARRYN-LEIGH SOLOMONS @tarryns07
P
rovincial health minister Nomafrench Mbombo launched the Ubuntu Cloth Mask initiative at the Coconut Jazz factory in Goodwood on Tuesday 19 May. The public-private initiative was coordinated by WoW! (Western Cape on Wellness) in partnership with The Health Foundation, Coconut Jazz and other organisations.
Coconut Jazz co-owner Fiona Hoadley told TygerBurger many of the factory workers were without jobs after lockdown was announced. “About two weeks after the start of the lockdown we tried to come up with something that would give back to the community. We wanted to keep our own staff busy and create employment opportunities within the disadvantaged communities.
“We approached the provincial department of health and proposed to make and sell masks. Seamstresses from vulnerable communities will receive an income from manufacturing the masks.” The purpose of the initiative is to provide free quality masks to children and adults in vulnerable communities in the province. The campaign aligns with the #ShareTheLove campaign which seeks to highlight the work being done by
people living in the province to help each other through the Covid19 crisis. Mbombo said she is happy to be part of the initiative. “This supports what we have been calling for, adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions such as wearing of masks in public because this virus spreads through droplets. “The wearing of masks in public is one of the interventions we can use in preventing the spread.
Provincial health minister Nomafrench Mbombo speaking at the launch of the Ubuntu Cloth Mask initiative in Goodwood. PHOTO: TARRYN-LEIGH SOLOMONS
“I’m grateful for all the partners that contributed to the success of this initiative. Our communities will be protected because of their generous gesture.”