SA Rugby captain donates protective gear

South Africa’s rugby captain Siya Kolisi has announced that his newly formed foundation will supply protective equipment to hospitals across the country to support the fight against coronavirus. 

The kit will go primarily to frontline medical staff, with sanitisers supplied for public hospitals. Mr Kolisi told reporters “we’re helping where we can”. 

The Springboks flanker said he was inspired by the country’s former leader Nelson Mandela to serve his nation during the pandemic. 

He also called on his fellow South Africans to stand together during the lockdown and help those less fortunate.

“This is going to be a team effort, everyone has a role to play. For those who are fortunate we need to help, food is a problem for many people in South Africa, that is why some people leave their homes to try and find something to eat. We are pushing hard on fighting the hunger and making sure that people get meals and making sure we help where we can.”

South Africa is currently in its second week of a three-week lockdown, aimed at slowing down the spread of the coronavirus. The country reported has 1,686 cases of Covid-19 so far, the highest figure of any African country.

The government has already begun a rigorous testing programme but Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned South Africans this may just be “the calm before the storm”. 

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