Absa donates R15m to coronavirus efforts

Absa has donated just over R15 million to assist efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic, it said on Monday.

The banking group will make an initial R15 million contribution to extend access to testing and hygiene materials for marginalised groups, as well as funding a public health and reporting awareness campaign in partnership with government, according to a statement. 

There will be an additional R700 000 worth of food redirected from the cancelled Absa Cape Epic event to vulnerable communities, Absa said. 

The announcement follows an announcement by Absa on Sunday that it would be introducing a customer, business and corporate payment relief programme, Fin24 reported. Qualifying customers would be eligible for payment relief on credit products, Absa said, with the option to defer or reduce payments if necessary, depending on their needs. 

Absa is not the only business to have announced donations in recent days. Naspers announced a R1.5 billion donation, while the Motsepe Foundation and associated businesses announced a R1 billion donation, to name a few. 

* Compiled by Marelise van der Merwe