Coronavirus | Naspers’ first shipment of protective gear arrives in SA

The first shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) procured by Naspers has arrived in South Africa on Monday.

Within a week, the next shipments of PPE are expected to arrive.

This follows the company’s commitment of R1.5 billion in emergency aid to the country. Naspers is contributing R500 million to the Solidarity Response Fund and is procuring R1 billion worth of PPE and other medical supplies through its partnerships with Tencent and the Chinese government.

The first PPE shipment consisted of 275 600 KN95 masks and 100 000 face shields and arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on 20 April. It is the first of multiple shipments that will be distributed to front-line healthcare workers.

“The collaboration and joint action between governments, business and civil society has been excellent. We hope our first shipment, which is one of many to come, will support the many selfless healthcare workers in our country,” Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO of Naspers, said in a statement.

The warehousing and distribution channels of e-commerce retailer Takealot, which is part of the Naspers group, will be used to get the supplies to hospitals and front-line workers as soon as possible.

Compiled by Carin Smith 

* Fin24 is part of Media24, which is part of Naspers.