​The Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has welcomed efforts by government and Solidarity Fund to ease the deepening hunger crises faced by people in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng following a recent weeklong unrest.

Zulu was speaking during the launch of Gauteng Government partnership with Solidarity Fund to upscale food relief in Vereeniging, Sedibeng Region, last Friday.

“The Coronavirus and the recent unrest in KZN and Gauteng have severely affected many families and negatively exposed the vulnerability of our people in terms of food security, therefore as government we believe that if we can work together in partnerships, we can reach out to people who are in real need, who are mostly affected by the situation of covid-19 and violent protest that we recently found ourselves in”, said Zulu.

The minister thanked a R40 million contribution towards Gauteng province. She said that as government we need to work more towards empowering small businesses and cooperatives that contributes to the food security.

Zulu called on more people who have resources to come forward and contribute to support government on its mission to ramp up the food relief to the needy.

The Gauteng Social Development MEC Morakane Mosupyoe, on behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, expressed gratitude for the large contribution made by Solidarity Fund towards the people of Gauteng.

“As a department responsible for social relief in the province ours is to ensure that we find ways to alleviate hunger in our communities. And this partnership with the Solidarity Fund, will help us reach out to fifty-four thousand two hundred and eighty five (54 285) households by the end of October and especially areas impacted by the recent civil unrests. Currently, food is being procured and deliveries are taking place in the five regional food banks”, said Mosupyoe.

“We urge the solidarity Fund leadership to note that the province is faced with serious food insecurities and therefore encouraged to make more contributions soon”.