Charles Molele
Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina has pledged to donate 33% of his salary to the Solidarity Fund over the next three months.
Masina made the announcement on Thursday night shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation about his decision to extend the national lockdown period by two more weeks.
Masina said the City Manager and Group Chief Financial Officer will both donate 33%, Members of the Mayoral Committee 25%, the Speaker of council 20% and the Chief Whip of council 15 per cent.
He added that discussions were currently underway with heads of departments to donate 25% over the three months, divisional heads 12.5% and officials five per cent.
“We must all heed the call made by President Ramaphosa for us to rise to the occasion and live up to this national Thuma Mina moment. Every effort and gesture we can make as citizens will go far in assisting efforts to flatten the curve,” said Masina.
“We welcome the 14-day nation-wide lockdown extension. Indeed now is not the time to relax, our struggle against this invisible enemy must be intensified. The City of Ekurhuleni will continue to work in collaboration with both the Provincial and National spheres of Government in combating the COVID-19 global pandemic.”
On Thursday night, Ramaphosa announced that his Cabinet would also take a one-third cut in their salaries for the next three months.
This portion of their salaries would be donated to the Solidarity Fund
The Solidarity Fund, which is run by the private sector, has raised more than R2.2 billion from corporate and private individuals.
The money is earmarked to bolster the state’s health response, humanitarian efforts and providing care for the sick.
Ramaphosa said that many companies and individuals have come forward to provide financial and other assistance to businesses in distress.
“We are calling on other public office bearers and executives of large companies to make a similar gesture and to further increase the reach of this national effort,” he said.