04 May 2020

Renowned television personality, comedian and philanthropist, Mr Steve Harvey and wife, Majorie, have joined Botswana’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by donating five tonnes worth of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The consignment, which consists of surgical masks, gowns, gloves and googles, would arrive in Botswana tomorrow. It would be utilised by frontline health workers involved in the battle against the pandemic.

Speaking through Skype from their home in Atlanta, United States of America, this afternoon, the Harveys addressed journalists in a live televised briefing. 

They said they felt duty bound as friends of Botswana to assist the country, therefore decided to purchase the PPEs having sought advice from the health professionals in the country’s COVID-19 Task Team on what was most required.

“I spoke to the doctors on the phone when I first called in to find out how Botswana was handling everything. The Botswana task force was clear of what the situation is like and what is required.  That helped my wife and I make our decision,” Mr Harvey said.

Mrs Harvey said, while the COVID-19 pandemic afflicted the entire world, taking people’s lives and affecting economies, it was also having an effect of bringing out the best out of humanity.

The Harveys said having established a 'special bond' with Botswana to a point of becoming interested in purchasing real estate in the country, had informed their choice of nation to support in such a time.

Scientific advisor to the COVID-19 Task Force team, Dr Mogomotsi Matshaba said COVID-19 was the biggest pandemic in a hundred years and needed concerted effort from stakeholders.

He thus expressed gratitude to Mr Harvey and others who made donations in cash and kind to the COVID-19 relief efforts.

For his part, director of the National Disaster Management Office, Mr Moagi Baleseng, stated that various donors from the private sector, non-governmental organisations  as well as individual Batswana were continuing to support the national effort to combat effects of the pandemic.

This included financial suppor as well as donations of food, shelter,  soap, sanitisers and other materials useful in combating the disease. Mr Baleseng said food parcels had been distributed to thousands of vulnerable individuals and families in every district countrywide. ENDS