ORION Engineered Carbons, in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC), recently donated 320 winter blankets and 5 000 medical masks to the Covid-19 Isolation Facility located at the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Stadium.
Orion Engineered Carbons (OEC), a global manufacturer of carbon black, is a silver partner of the NMBBC. In line with OEC’s sustainability goals, which consider its communities, the environment as well as the economy, a sponsorship of winter blankets and medical masks was made to the NMB Stadium, which is managed by the Nelson Mandela Bay Covid-19 Disaster Management Forum.
Shane Brown, head of Nelson Mandela Bay Covid-19 Disaster Management Forum and director of the Joint Operations Centre, said, “Covid-19 is a reality that is hitting every sector of society including business which was not isolated from the communities they draw skills from, and for OEC to answer the call and step up is commendable.
“The provision of PPE at the isolation centre will go a long way in assisting our patients in that facility, the staff that provides care and the operational team, in making sure that we continue to operate in a safe and enabling environment. We thank OEC as well as the Business Chamber for facilitating the support,” said Brown.
Roland Loganathan, managing director of OEC and Skhumbuzo Mzoboshe, EHS Manager had the pleasure of joining Prince Matonsi, operations director at NMBBC, in handing over the donation at the satellite hospital at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Loganathan said the donation would reach out to protect the front-line health care workers with PPE and, at the same time, provide warmth to the many patients, especially during this cold winter season.
“It is important that the private and public sectors work in unison to minimise the impact on our surrounding communities. We are indeed delighted to partner with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber in donating at this dire time of need,” said Loganathan.
“The OEC global leadership team extends their well wishes and a message of hope to all South Africans as we rally together against the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO, Nomkhita Mona, said, since the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, the Business Chamber has sprung up to action and set up a coordinated business fraternity response towards the efforts to avert a potential humanitarian crisis in the region.
“This donation by OEC is proof that the company is aligned to the values of the Business Chamber of being a business with a conscience. We highly appreciate this generous gesture as Loganathan told us that they could not just stand by and not lend a hand.
“This adds more towards the other donations made by various Business Chamber member companies in the fight against the pandemic,” said Mona.
The donation was received by Mpho Mokonyama, the NMB Stadium manager.
Mokonyama said, “As the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, we strongly believe that it is vital that public and private stakeholders work together in the fight against Covid-19 and continuously encourage other private entities to donate to South Africa’s battle against the pandemic.
“As a facility, we will continue to fulfil our commitment to promote safety and supporting communities. OEC’s donation will aid in giving relief and comfort, where it is needed the most,” Mokonyama said.
