BUSINESS WITH A CONSCIENCE
NMB Business Chamber co-ordinates private sector efforts amid crisis
In the weeks since the start of the national lockdown, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has been working tirelessly to co-ordinate and offer much-needed support amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Given the rapid and unprecedented spread of the disease, the country and specifically the region of Nelson Mandela Bay was not prepared for a largescale outbreak.
“On inquiring about the metro’s state of readiness, it became clear that the local health care system did not have sufficient capacity and resources required if the Bay recorded a high number of infections,” CEO Nomkhita Mona said.
“As the leading voice of business in the metro, we knew the business chamber had a responsibility to mobilise the private sector wherever it was possible to assist.”
Since the announcement of the national lockdown at the end of March, the chamber has made a significant difference through co-ordinated efforts from its member companies, while continuously lobbying for support from government, local businesses and citizens.
Joint operations committee
The first step was to establish an internal joint operations committee (JOC), chaired by business chamber board president Dr Andrew Muir.
The purpose of the JOC is to mobilise and co-ordinate the efforts of businesses and individuals to mitigate the crisis, and to offer support both to these efforts as well as the needs of the district’s health care system.
The business chamber called its member companies to action, in particular to assist with medical resources and personal protective equipment (PPE) that would be required to provide care for infected citizens in the metro’s health care centres.
Following this call, both member and non-member businesses were quick to respond and offer their assistance. The chamber began gathering resources and making plans for a unified response from the private sector.
Refurbishment of local hospitals
Next, the chamber set up a visit to two local hospitals, Livingstone and the PE Provincial, to assess the needs at these centres which could be addressed by the private sector.
Isuzu Motors SA, a member company, took it upon themselves to renovate these two hospitals to increase the centres’ capacity to care for Covid19 patients.
These renovations included cleaning and painting rooms, electrical and plumbing work, converting some rooms into ablution facilities, and other repairs.
Investec also made a substantial financial contribution towards the refurbishment of the hospitals in support of the chamber’s work to assist the medical fraternity.
As a result of the renovations, the Provincial Hospital has been equipped as a transfer location for Covid-19 patients, while Livingstone Hospital — as the metro’s dedicated Covid-19 medical institution — can accommodate 135 extra patients.
Marquee tents have also been set up at Livingstone, PE Provincial, Dora Nginza Hospital and Laetitia Bam clinic in Uitenhage to support hospitals with the pre-admission and testing process. These tents were donated by Steve’s Hiring Services through the chamber’s Ubuntu Covid-19 fund.
Ubuntu Covid-19 fund
To support the relief efforts in the region, the chamber started its Ubuntu Covid-19 fund. The fund is managed by the chamber, with the aim of using financial and non-financial donations to minimise the negative impact of Covid-19 in the metro.
“Our goal is to equip our metro and mitigate the potentially devastating impact of the Covid-19 virus,” Mona said. “So far we have raised funds and gained selfless volunteers. Many companies and individuals have pledged their support in this time of crisis, when swift action is required.”
Donations can be made anonymously via a secure platform on the chamber website at https://www.nmbbusinesschamber.co.za/donation. Alternatively, the following account details may be used for any EFT or cash deposits: Account Name: NMBBC Advocacy, Bank: Standard Bank, Account Number: 080102654, Branch Code: 051001
● For more information on how you can help, contact the chamber via joc@nmbbusinesschamber.co.za or 041-373-1122.
Metro’s business community unites
Through the Ubuntu fund and direct contributions, various businesses have responded with kindness and innovation to the call to action.
A large number of companies and individuals have made generous financial contributions to the Ubuntu Covid-19 fund. These funds will be used to ensure that the required medical supplies and personal protective clothing is available.#
All the companies and individuals who have made contributions are very concerned about the safety and protection of the front-line personnel. It would be a tragedy if these dedicated men and women were to contract the virus in the line of duty.
These include: Coca-Cola Beverages (SA), Santam, the Mandela Bay Development Agency, E’zethu Development Trust, Umicore Catalyst, Investec, Alan Mounsear-Wilson, Mazars, Spar, Cape Produce Company, Mr Fred Mindermann, Mr Barrie G Harvey, Mr/Ms L Ledingham, Bob
Aside from the major facility that VWSA is planning to contribute, they have also contributed the following:
● Assistance in project management to the epidemiologist Dr John Black, who is closely involved with the relief efforts;
● Design and manufacturing of ventilators (pending medical approval by SAHPRA and NRSC);
● 3D Design and manufacturing of respirators, including personalised masks and material masks (pending medical approval by SAHPRA and NRSC);
● Provision of hand sanitiser.
● Coca-Cola has made funds available to supply the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospital staff;
● Jendamark and several other companies have put their technology to good use with rapid prototyping 3D printing, face shields; and some have started manufacturing medical equipment, such as protective face masks, to supplement what is available in the region;
● Isuzu Motors SA has generously made its Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre (VCDC) in Markman available, to be used as a distribution centre where all donated supplies will be kept. The 2,000m² distribution centre will be fully staffed to function daily. Isuzu will also provide trucks that will transport these goods to the relevant medical facilities;
● Santam made a contribution of a substantial amount of PPE towards the relief efforts;
● KW Events donated tents, beds, mattresses, mobile basins and toilets, mobile showers and masks;
● ZSports donated tents, gazebos, industrial fans, chairs;
● Peri Expo donated the partitions used at the hospitals;
● Vodacom has donated routers and data for use at the refurbished hospitals, and they are extending the data available to these centres;
● MTN also extended its data availability for these hospitals and provided 15 handsets for use by health care practitioners;
● Amobia Communications donated a router including installation and connection for use at the PE Provincial Hospital, in the form of a sponsored internet connection for three months (from April 1);
● Jason Kieck and Morne van der Schyff made 32 drops of curtains for the newly operational hospital wards; City Lodge made bedding available should it be required. Mohair SA donated blankets and socks;
● East Cape Midlands donated blankets and linen;
● The Terminators donated various articles including toilet roll holders, paper towel and liquid soap dispensers and some soap for the Livingstone Hospital
● Paul Charalambous secured 30 pallets, delivered them to ECHO, all at his and his company’s cost, so that the health carers looking after the residents in the frail care facility are able to stay on site, with no travel incurred, thus reducing their risk.
Next steps
Mona said these donations formed part of the first phase of the chamber’s support, with more projects in the pipeline. Among these projects is the possible establishment of a medical facility by VWSA, who will provide the building of their former Neave plant for use.
Funding for this facility is expected to be confirmed soon. (We will hopefully have an update here early next week).
The chamber is also hoping to extend its assistance to include improvements at the Dora Nginza Hospital.
“We are deeply grateful for each and every business and individual that committed time, money and resources to help their fellow man. We believe it is a moral obligation for those who are able to contribute to the fight against Covid-19.
“It is heartening to see how our businesses and residents are mobilising for the greater good of the region, the province and the country.
“The current contribution by the business and society in Nelson Mandela Bay runs into many millions, both the cash and goods and services donated.
“We are immensely grateful. We are in this fight together, and through the innovation, determination and kindness that have been demonstrated throughout the metro, I believe we truly can make a difference and flatten the curve,” Mona said.
“We are very encouraged by the positive response from the business and community of Nelson Mandela Bay.
“We expect to announce a very big contribution to the Covid-19 fight from VWSA very soon,” a delighted Mona said.