The equipment was officially handed over on Friday, 19 March at a ceremony hosted at the War Room, Nerve Centre in Ormonde, Johannesburg.

It was received by the Gauteng MEC for health Nomathemba Mokgethi.

Regional corporate affairs director Kgosi Mgotsi says, "Our government is putting in every effort to protect the nation against Covid-19 and, as SAB, we have a long standing partnership with the province which began from the onset of the pandemic."

"This is a continuation of this partnership and supporting communities at their time of need. In early 2020, the demand for alcohol-based sanitiser sky-rocketed and SAB quickly adapted its operations to address the shortage of hand sanitiser by using its operations to produce a sanitiser containing 80% alcohol, which is exactly what the healthcare sector was in dire need of," adds Mokgethi.

"Lessons learned in hindsight are that this pandemic is not yet over and requires a focus on saving lives and livelihoods alike. As a nation, we are responsible and stronger together," says Mokgethi.

"We are happy to see the commitment of the private sector in the fight against Covid-19. SAB, as part of a world-wide corporation, has supported the Covid-19 response in the province. The equipment donated today will go a long way in assisting workers in our facilities," says Mokgethi.

Mgotsi concludes, "We have for the last 125 years formed a part of the fabric of South Africa and have stood behind this nation through all triumphs and challenges. In this time of uncertainty, we will again prove our commitment to our country and right now the healthcare sector needs our support."

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