Motus makes valuable donations to Gift of the Givers
(JOHANNESBURG, South Africa) 25 June 2021. Motus Holdings Limited (Motus) has made a monetary donation of R250 000 to Gift of the Givers, which will enable the foundation to source 20 oxygen concentrators. These machines will assist patients who are suffering from the symptoms of COVID-19 and allow for home-based care for individuals who are unable to gain access to hospitals. Hospital beds remain in short supply, particularly in Gauteng where The Charlotte Maxeke Hospital remains closed due to fire damage.
Furthermore, in the wake of government’s announcement to curb the spread of COVID-19 by vaccinating teachers across South Africa, Motus will be supplying ten mini-bus vehicles together with drivers and fuel to Gift of the Givers, who will support in the transportation of 12,000 teachers from 400 schools in the Western Cape to vaccination sites.
Commenting on Motus’ donation, CEO, Osman Arbee, said: “As a vehicle retail group who are in the business of providing mobility, it was logical for Motus to lend a helping hand in giving the educators of our children the opportunity to be vaccinated by facilitating their transport”.
Motus employs a significant amount of people through its various business interests, many of which have school going children. Motus identified a need and jumped at the opportunity to assist.
“Motus applauds the work of Gift of the Givers and are happy to help the organisation in their work to slow down the third wave which is currently gripping the country,” added Arbee.
The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike any other disaster that Gift of the Givers has encountered in its 28-year history. The unprecedented nature of the virus, its spread and threat of death showed that government alone was not going to be able to deal with it. The response by Gift of the Givers was designed to cover both medical and humanitarian needs.
“Schools are a big problem at the moment, children are getting infected, remaining asymptomatic, but carrying the virus home where adults are being infected. Teachers are particularly vulnerable to the virus as many of them are elderly and have comorbidities. Shockingly, the death rate amongst teachers has surpassed that of healthcare workers, to date 2,000 teachers have passed away due to COVID-19,” said Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
Through donations from corporates such as Motus, Gift of the Givers has been able to assist where government could not. In addition to upgrading hospitals around the country and setting up mobile testing stations, key achievements in the last 18 months include supplying 210 hospitals with PPE, sourcing and supplying hospitals with thermometers and pulse oximeters as well as high flow nasal oxygen machines. The organisation also aided with the distribution of 2,500 CPAP machines that were donated by Solidarity and manufactured 12,000 sets of scrubs for distribution to healthcare workers.
“Motus have already supported Gift of the Givers throughout the pandemic with the donation of five Kia and Hyundai light commercial vehicles. These vehicles are utilised to transport staff to critical areas while the light commercial vehicles have proved invaluable in transporting everything from oxygen machines to PPE and food parcels to areas where they are most needed,” added Sooliman.
