04 May 2021

MP for Kanye South has applauded Gutfreund Holdings for helping government protect the teaching and non-teaching staff against COVID-19  in his constituency.

Dr Lemogang Kwape was speaking during an event where the company donated 9 000 KN 95 facemasks worth P300 000 to the regional education office in Kanye recently.

He said the pandemic had affected the nation in many ways: robbed it of lives and livelihoods as well as throwing a spanner into the recently drawn national budget, among other things.

Dr Kwape, also Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, said it was therefore a delight to witness some individuals and private companies coming forth to complement government efforts to keep the nation out of harm’s way.

He explained that since work at schools had been going on in the midst of the pandemic, it was imperative to protect staff, adding that 6 000 facemasks would be given to the regional office to distribute among schools.

He said the rest of the facemasks would be given to village development committees, taxi drivers, barber shops and street vendors, who get exposed to the coronavirus trying to earn a living.

However, as much as the coronavirus had hamstrung the government agenda, Dr Kwape stressed that it would never derail them from achieving the aspirations they set for themselves.

For his part, Gutfreund Holdings managing partner, Mr Garry Gutfreund, said his company appreciated the crucial role teachers played in educating the nation.

“Through this gesture, we wish to protect both teaching and non-teaching staff for the heroic work they do for the nation in these distressing times,” he said, adding that his company also believed that by giving, they were also receiving.

When receiving the donation, the regional education director, Mr Acronews Maseko thanked Dr Kwape for his active support for schools in his area. 

He also commended Gutfreund Holdings for helping schools, adding that government could not win the fight against the pandemic alone. 

He said the facemasks would, without doubt, go a long way to make schools safer for both teaching and learning. ends