Johannesburg, South Africa – Sasol today donated 4500 litres of sanitiser to the Gauteng Department of Health to help its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the province. 

In addition to this, the Sasol Foundation in partnership with Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, has loaned a repurposed mobile science laboratory to the department to serve as a travelling testing unit. The handover of these equipment was done at a ceremony held at the Sasol Gold Reef service station in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg. 

“While as Sasol we have seen some impact on our organization and our people due to COVID-19, we recognise our duty and deeper responsibility to support our fenceline communities, government, and society at large, in these challenging and uncertain times. Sasol has consistently supported Humanitarian Emergency Aid efforts over the years and will continue to do so through our accelerated response in the fight to combat the spread of COVID-19,” said Gaopaleloe Mothoagae, Vice President: Social Investment at Sasol.

The mobile testing unit will be used to support the newly established Nasrec Quarantine Centre. It is predicted that COVID-19 cases will peak in Gauteng between July and September 2020. Currently, the Johannesburg inner city and Johannesburg South areas have the highest number of infections. The Department of Health has been preparing the Nasrec Centre since mid-April as a quarantine centre. The Sasol provided mobile testing unit will service residents of Ormonde, Soweto and Riverlea. 

“We expect that our service stations in the vicinity will become increasingly busy due to their proximity to the centre. Therefore, it is critical that they are prepared. We will be providing  additional training in the areas of safety awareness, facility operations and customer service,” said Mahomed Carrim, Vice President: Energy Retail at Sasol. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in South Africa, Sasol – within the constraints of its current financial situation – has been working with government at all levels to respond to the pandemic. 
In Gauteng, the company has donated more than 8000 litres sanitisers and over 6000 masks, gloves and soaps to the cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni Municipality. These have been handed out to first responders, health practitioners, and emergency care practitioners. 

Nationally, the company’s support has included donating:

• Over 12 000 masks, 36 000 pairs of gloves and 5 000 safety suits and overalls to support frontline response efforts across its fenceline communities; 
• 36 000 litres of sanitiser to franchisees and surrounding communities; and 
• A million litres of jet fuel to the Government for the repatriation of citizens stranded from abroad. 
• The company has also been involved in educating and raising awareness within communities on the risks associated with COVID-19 and actions taken to flatten the curve. 

Further to this, the Sasol Foundation partnered with various entities to provide free online and interactive Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning for Grades R to 12 learners in South Africa. The Foundation also partnered with the Department of Basic Education and Africa Teen Geeks to provide access to the Lockdown Digital School.  To date, these online education learning support initiatives have reached more than 150 000 learners. 

Through Sasol for Good, which is an employee volunteerism mechanism, Sasol employees have also raised R60 000 towards those in need during this difficult period. 

“It is in this context that we continue our support within the Gauteng province with strategic partners and stakeholders, including the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Health,” Mothoagae explained.

“Our support as Sasol is part of our continuing commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its stakeholders and surrounding communities in Gauteng as well as Sasol’s host communities,” she added. 

To find out more about Sasol’s contribution towards fighting the global COVID-19 pandemic, visit: https://society.sasol.com/