The Covid-19 outbreak has prompted calls for global cooperation, solidarity, a culture of empathy and charitable giving. The Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres poignantly captured these sentiments when he said: “either we stand together, or we fall apart.” This is true for the African continent, where the pandemic threatens to undo years of development progress.
“The outbreak has a disproportionate impact on poor and marginalized communities, disrupting their livelihoods and perpetuating the precarity of their situations,” says Ebrahim Rasool, founder of OneAfrica, a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) promoting social and economic cohesion on the continent.
He says that the unprecedented global health crisis highlights the need for solidarity, unity and cooperation among individuals, societies and nation states in a profound and tangible way.
“As we stand together in the fight against Covid-19, we should also use this sobering moment as a catalyst for social change going forward.”
OneAfrica is founded on the idea that peace and collaboration among the people of Africa will help unlock the continent’s prosperity and promote human flourishing.
The South African-based organisation aims to bridge the gap that exists between people of different nationalities at a community level, as well as through both the private and public sectors across Africa.
While there is no universal definition, social cohesion can be described as the willingness of members of society to cooperate with each other to survive and prosper.
The present crisis has opened opportunities for ordinary people to demonstrate their capacity to work together. Many South Africans have shown empathy and tremendous generosity by contributing to the Solidarity Fund and other causes for the vulnerable.
“These acts of kindness prove that we are in fact stronger when we stand together,” says Rasool.
As part of their Covid-19 response, OneAfrica has launched a platform on its website to allow individuals and corporates to play their part in equipping those who are most vulnerable with the home essentials that they need.
The ‘Food Essential Vouchers’ platform on the OneAfrica website facilitates gifting of essential vouchers to those facing desperate times, which would be redeemable at all major retailers who have partnered with the system. Vouchers can be purchased for a value from R100 – R1000 for essentials goods and items that may be needed.
Individuals will either be able to purchase vouchers for people they know, using their mobile numbers, or donate to selected organisations who have linked up with OneAfrica to distribute the Food Essential Vouchers campaign.
Recipients of a Food Essential Voucher will receive an SMS with instructions and a unique code that they simply need to show the teller at check out in-store.
To kick off the campaign, OneAfrica is donating 1 000 Food Essential Vouchers to help vulnerable people to buy groceries and essential items. “We call on all Africans to help those less fortunate during this difficult time,” encourages Rasool.
“Apart from this campaign, as an organisation, our approach includes a range of programmes to encourage dialogue, conflict resolution, promote education, opportunities for cultural exchange and business partnerships, as well as foster economic growth,” explains Rasool.
“The launch of the Food Essential Vouchers campaign is just one of the many ways we can fortify our collective resilience against the litany of threats impeding economic and social development on the continent,” Rasool concludes.
For individuals and corporates who want more information about the Food Essential Vouchers campaign or to support the initiative, please visit https://vouchers.oneafrica.org/Shop/Browse?shop=Essential
“Through our on-the-groundwork, advocacy and events, we aim to highlight the richness of the continent’s diverse knowledge systems, culture, art, sporting prowess, and human potential,” he adds.
To achieve the type of positive change that OneAfrica envisions, all of its programmes are geared toward promoting social cohesion including the OneAfrica Awards broadcasted on TV from the 15th June 2020 as a six part special.
There is no time like now to remember that we can rise above the pandemic, community violence and socioeconomic indifferences, and these awards hope to remind us that we can make a difference and we are all citizens of the Africa.
Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd on behalf of OneAfrica.