FAQ
Governance
The Fund is governed by a strong, independent board of directors that brings diverse views, perspectives and skills to the work of the Fund. The CEO and Board members are all working free of charge. The Board members are:
- Ms Nomkhita Nqweni (CEO)
- Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba (Chair Distribution Committee)
- Ms Tryphosa Ramano (Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee)
- Mr Sizwe Nxasana (Chair of the Fundraising Committee)
- Prof Michael Katz
- Ms Kgmotso Makhupola
- Minister Tito Mboweni
- Minister Ebrahim Patel
- Mr Thulani Tshefuta
Funds donated to the Solidarity Fund go directly to meeting the Fund’s objectives: to procure critical health equipment, fund food relief interventions and provide educational material to help South Africa flatten the curve. Through our rigorous procurement and auditing processes, we have ensured that goods and services are procured at reasonable prices, rather than to fund the overhead costs of the organisations we work with. This ensures that we maximise the impact of our interventions.
The CEO and Board members of the Solidarity Fund are working tirelessly, free of charge. More than 75 individuals from 25 organisations have been deployed on a pro bono basis to help start up the Fund and to enable it to fulfil its mandate.
The Solidarity Fund is listed as a predefined beneficiary at all major banks. Please look for the Solidarity Fund under the predefined beneficiary list on your banking application. If you have any questions or require guidance on making a payment to a predefined beneficiary, please contact the call centre of your personal bank for assistance.
Procurement and pricing
Food relief response
The Solidarity Fund is managing distribution of food parcels in partnership with a wide collective of organisations. These had been selected through a rigorous four-phase process, taking into account multiple criteria, including their ability to meet compliance requirements, geographic footprint and networks, a proven track record of food distribution as well as the capacity to implement quickly.
Around 25% of the food parcels will be distributed through the Department of Social Development’s Community Nutrition and Development Centres, and their nine implementing agents, while a further 50% through large national food distribution non-profit organisations (NPO). The remainder will be distributed through a range of 'community based' organisations at provincial and local levels, as well as private logistics companies.
The Solidarity Fund’s food intervention is intended to provide short-term food relief and augment the efforts of government and non-governmental organisations. The Fund partners with a range of organisations that distribute food parcels through their established networks. The Fund does not consider individual requests for assistance.
Please contact your local NGO or community-based organisation for assistance or use the following government portals:
https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2020/04/17/food-parcels-are-available-for-anyone-who-may-need-them
https://www.gov.za/services/social-benefits/social-relief-distress
The Solidarity Fund is listed as a 'predefined beneficiary' at all major banks. Please look for the Solidarity Fund under the predefined beneficiary list on your banking application. If you have any questions or require guidance on making a payment to a predefined beneficiary, please contact the call centre of your personal bank for assistance.