Kia Motors South Africa, a subsidiary of Motus Corporation, this week donated three Kia K2700 light commercial vehicles and three Kia Picanto STARTs to SANZAF to assist the organisation in delivering food and other welfare support services to vulnerable communities during the Covid-19 Lockdown. All three K2700 ‘bakkies’ will be equipped with lockable canopies sponsored by Beekman Canopies, another Motus subsidiary.
“When the need is overwhelming and urgent, the best way to approach the problem is through a well coordinated plan and a network of committed people,” comments Gary Scott, CEO, Kia Motors South Africa. “It is through coordination, commitment and passion that SANZAF has achieved this, month after month, for the past 45 years. We are honoured to donate vehicles that will make this task easier.”
The South African National Zakah Fund – or SANZAF, as it’s also known – is a socio-welfare and educational organisation that strives to facilitate the empowerment of needy families through the efficient collection and distribution of alms (Zakah) and donations in a proactive, cost effective way through projects. A Section 18A Public Benefit Organisation, SANZAF directly invested R27m in education in the previous financial year. In addition, the organisation counselled and assisted 28,000 people through their welfare support services.
Under normal circumstances, more than 40,000 people benefit from their monthly food programmes – which increases to more than 130,000 people during Ramadan. The organisation’s distribution and project teams are always prepared to assist with emergency situations around the country – such as the national Covid-19 Lockdown – through food parcels and vouchers, clothing and other services that may be required.
“It is really heartwarming to receive this generous donation from Kia Motors,” says Yasmina Francke, CEO of SANZAF. “These vehicles will go a long way to ease the load for our teams working on the ground, particularly in these difficult times when we are delivering door-to-door and practising social distancing. Having extra vehicles in circulation will definitely help us with our distributions in needy communities.”
Kia’s donation to SANZAF is also supported by its local principal, Motus Corporation. As South Africa’s largest automotive group, grounded in the belief of using “Mobility for Good”, Motus fully supports the government’s efforts to contain the Covid-19 virus.
“We are very grateful for the donation of the six vehicles from Kia and Motus Corporation,” adds SANZAF Chairperson, Fayruz Mohamed. “As a nation we are facing a humanitarian crisis that requires a collective effort from government, the private sector and civil society. This is one of those examples where a company has certainly shown heart by doing amazing work in supporting the efforts required to serve the poor and the needy.”
Visit www.sanzaf.org.za/donate to make a donation to SANZAF.