THE Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent national lockdown may have turned peoples’ lives upside down, but it has also united people as they join forces to fight the health and humanitarian crisis.
At Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA), 85 employees from the Silverton Assembly Plant and its supplier companies have dedicated their efforts to assembling protective face shields for donation to front-line medical and essential services personnel, including doctors and nurses, as well as non-governmental organisations that are at the coalface of this global health crisis.
To date, almost 190 000 face shields have been produced and donated to hospitals, clinics and NGOs around the country, and delivered to the Department of Health’s central warehouse and distribution facility in Centurion.
These recipients include Port Elizabeth’s Dora Nginza Hospital and Livingstone Hospital.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Dora Nginza Hospital, we would like to thank Ford Motor Company for the donation of the face shields,” said Mbuyiselo Tsibolane, CEO of Dora Nginza Hospital.
“It will go a long way in mitigating against the Covid-19 virus and will also boost the morale of our staff who are worried and demotivated about this illness. They will see that they’re being cared for, and it’s all because of Ford Motor Company.”
Livingstone Hospital also thanked Ford for the donation.
“This gives a lot of confidence to the people dealing with Covid-19 and adds an extra layer of protection for them. It’s nice that people are coming on board to support the whole process from business and the community. The partnerships we are building are really special to us, and we really do appreciate all of this,” said Dr John Black, infectious diseases specialist at Livingstone Hospital.
The team has tirelessly produced up to 13 000 face shields per day, and is exceptionally proud to have played a role in this far-reaching initiative.
Team member, Jackson Tala, said, “I’m very grateful to be part of the movement fighting Covid-19.
“It proves that we aren’t just employees at the Ford plant, but are active community members that determine our future, as well as that of our nation. So, let’s keep on sanitising and maintaining social distancing.”
“I’m very thankful to have this chance to help the fight against Covid-19,” added Tala’s colleague, Mike Swarts.
“We need to stand together as a nation to win this battle and make a difference in South Africa.”
Ford production manager, Johann Botha, who has been one of the key people leading this project, concluded, “It is a life-changing experience to be part of the FMCSA team of employees that learn together while taking on a challenge unknown to all of us.”
Any queries regarding making donations can be e-mailed to socialme@ford.com, using the reference ‘Ford SA COVID-19’.
