Image: Cape Town ETC
Faizel Patel – 20/04/2021
Mobile operator Vodacom has donated R3 million towards relief efforts to help thousands of people impacted by a runaway fire in Cape Town at the weekend.
According to SANParks, the blaze that engulfed the Rhodes Memorial restaurant, multiple buildings at the University of Cape Town (UCT), including the Special Collections library that houses rare collections of African Studies was started accidentally
The inferno forced the evacuation of over 4,000 UCT students to emergency accommodation while two firefighter were injured and are being treated in hospital.
Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group CEO says the donation is aimed to support efforts by the provincial government as rescue operations have been stepped up in the province.
“We have witnessed a human and historic tragedy following the devastation, human displacement and the loss of historic sites and rare collections at UCT Library. The money will be used to provide food and bottled water for affected people. This amount is over and above our business as usual financial commitment to ensure access to communication by restoring the sites and the network across the City of Cape Town.”
To mitigate disruptions to their learning and keep students connected, Vodacom is also giving all UCT students on the Vodacom network a free 5gig data and 200 voice minutes bundle.
Joosub says as a proudly South African company they are deeply committed to making a difference in society and hopes the donation will make a difference in not only keeping the youth connected but also rebuilding this significant learning institution.
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