KZN Maskathon to provide 80 000 families with quality masks

MEDIA RELEASE

8 JULY 2020

RMB and FNB facilitate the donation of masks to vulnerable KZN communities

RMB and FNB in KwaZulu-Natal are facilitating the donation of masks to 80,000 families from vulnerable communities in the province. The KZN Maskathon initiative is part of the bank’s wider response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to extend protection to people who cannot afford quality masks.

FNB has continued to partner with a non-profit organisation, The Unlimited Child, to distribute family mask packs (packs include masks for two adults and two children) via its validated network of early childhood development centres (1 200 creches in KZN). 

FNB KZN Provincial Head, Asheen Magjee says the bank has kicked off the project (cumulatively worth R5 million) by donating the first 10 000 family packs of masks already. “We know that not everyone has access to masks, which are vital as government lifts lockdown restrictions and people go back to work and pupils go back to school. We have tried to find a way to channel support for this by partnering with clients and a local agency with reach.

In this way we can help companies protect their workforce, support their customers who are producing locally, and most importantly to support children attending the Early Childhood centres as well as their families.”

The fabric masks are produced in KZN by local garment manufacturers, all FNB clients, as part of the bank’s effort to support local manufacturing and contribute to keeping people safe.

The initiative is also aimed at enabling firms to source quality masks for their staff and create a platform to facilitate larger companies donating family packs of masks to the initiative. The local supplier companies are also part of the Proudly South African initiative. A spend of every R1 000 on masks for your workforce enables the donation of three family packs. The mask packs (each worth R60) contain four multi-layered, washable masks (meeting the Department of Health specifications) and vital information about how to use PPE (personal protective equipment).

Said Kenneth Fowler, Senior Coverage Banker at RMB: “This initiative demonstrates the value that can be unlocked through effective partnerships and collaboration. RMB aims to mobilise South African businesses to also procure masks through this initiative, and we are encouraging our clients within all our networks to follow suit. Not only will they be mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on their employees, they will also play a role in reviving an important sector in the Kwa-Zulu Natal economy by supporting local suppliers, and assist impoverished communities.”

Ends

For media information contact:

Joandra Griesel, Rand Merchant Bank: joandra.griesel@rmb.co.za / 082 462 6741

Lebo Moyana, FNB: Lebogangmelody.moyana@fnb.co.za  / 078 655 1145