Reaching out to families affected by the platinum strike

Press release from Wits University and other academic and religious leaders:

CALL FOR HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN THE PLATINUM MINING REGION

There is a humanitarian tragedy unfolding on the platinum belt. While supporting current attempts to reach a settlement to the dispute, the reality on the ground is that children, women and men don’t have food, and hardship will persist after the strike is settled. We cannot allow a situation in which people are starving. No society can tolerate such inhumanity in its midst. It is especially unacceptable 20 years into our democracy.

As a gesture of humanity, we call on all South Africans to assist in stopping the starvation among our poor communities affected by the strike. We appeal to citizens of South Africa to make small and big gestures in support of children, women and men who are affected. In particular, we appeal to South Africans to donate food.

Endorsed by:

The Most Reverend Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town

Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, President of the South African Council of Churches

The Right Reverend Dr Johannes Seoka, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Pretoria, and past president of the South African Council of Churches

Reverend Moss Nthla, Evangelical Alliance of South Africa

Bishop Molefe Ditlhale, Bishop of the Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Bishop Lunga kaSiboto, Presiding Bishop of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church

Professor Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Witwatersrand

Professor Ihron Rensburg, Vice-Chancellor, University of Johannesburg

Food parcels can be donated at:

1. Gift of the Givers (call toll-free 0800 786911 for details)

2. SkyNet courier branches anywhere in South Africa

3. All campuses of the Universities of Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand

4. Khotso House, 62 Marshall Street, Johannesburg

5. St George’s Cathedral and Anglican Church Warehouse, 12 Plantation Road, Wetton, Cape Town

6. Alternative Information and Development Centre, 129 Rochester Road, Observatory, Cape Town

7. St Albans Anglican Cathedral, Frances Baard Road, Pretoria

Further drop-off points will be announced on the Gift of the Givers website: www.giftofthegivers.org

Bank account details for donations:

ACCOUNT NAME: Gift of the Givers Foundation
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 052137228
BANK: Standard Bank
BRANCH: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
BRANCH CODE: 057525
SWIFT CODE: SBZAZAJJ
REF: Platinum Strikers

Give online: http://www.giftofthegivers.org/contact-us/online-contributions

For enquiries and comments contact:

Pumeza Magona at +27 (21) 763 1323

Marcus van Wyk at +27 (83) 471 1021

ENDS

Issued by:

KANINA FOSS

Senior Communications Officer

Advancement and Partnerships Division

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Tel: +27 11 717 1024

Cell: +27 82 052 0939