The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked substantial damage to human lives and South Africa’s economy. The measures used to try to curtail the effect of the pandemic such as the lockdown, has, unfortunately, worsened the income inequalities that characterise the country’s economy.
Vulnerable populations such as low-income earners in the informal sector have been most affected by job losses and the resulting income loss. The loss of jobs and income is likely to result in reduced ability to access healthcare and a nutritious diet. This, in turn, will negatively impact on people’s health ~ Source: “The Conversation, Academic Rigour, journalist flair, August 23, 2020.
Even though the Government has put in measures such as social relief assistance to try and assist individuals who have been negatively affected by COVID-19, not all individuals qualify for the funding.
Fortunately, companies like Mukuru have found ways to assist those who do not qualify for Government funding. Through the Outreach Foundation, it gave 300 food vouchers to those who qualified for this assistance.
We are thankful to Mukuru for their contribution which enabled us to assist those who are vulnerable during this time.
Here are a few photographs of those who received food through this incredible initiative!
We are very pleased to introduce our new interns thanks to FirstRand’s FirstJob initiative. These young people will get an opportunity to gain skills and experience so that they can enter the job market going forward.
Outreach Foundation on KayaFM's KayaNews - 7 August 2020
Following our release on the migrant children dying of malnutrition and clearly falling between the cracks, KayaFM interviewed Ethel Munyai, our programme manager for the counselling centre. This audio has the headline news at 07h30 and an excerpt of KayaNews at 8am with Outreach Foundation.
Alex News Coverage - Art is alive and kicking in the City of Joburg
JOHANNESBURG – This year’s Arts Alive festival promises to be even much better and empowers residents of Johannesburg City region.1 day ago
MMC Nonhlanhla Sifumba talks to members of the Media. Photo: Phathu Luvhengo
The mayor of the City of Johannesburg, councillor Herman Mashaba believes the Arts Alive International Festival will give residents in the city region hope.
Mashaba spoke at the launch of this year’s festival on Thursday 29 August at the Joburg Theatre and said that when he became the mayor of the City, he focused his first State of the City Address on the ‘forgotten people’. “We cannot have a situation where we forget about our residents,” he said.
“We have to bring them into the mainstream of our economy and I think we are committed to doing that.”
He said the arts is going to save the City of Johannesburg and help build society as everything revolves around arts.
Mashaba added that he had extensively travelled the world and, in any country, he has ever been, he has made sure that he goes to see the arts in that country.
He thanked the MMC for Community Development, councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba and her team for making the arts part of the mayoral priority which will assist them in driving the economy and build the people.
The City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba says the arts will give residents of Johannesburg hope. Photo: Phathu Luvhengo
Sifumba said the City was showcasing artists and their talent during the Arts Alive Festival. Various activities are planned citywide for the entire September to mark Heritage Month. “This is the 27th Arts Alive and, as the City of Johannesburg, we are proud to be part of it – it’s a month-long programme. If you are not living in the City, please relocate because the spring is here,” she said.
Sifumba said their programme will run for the whole month of September. “Arts Alive is about exploring our culture in the City of Johannesburg. It’s a melting pot of different cultures, so Arts Alive is about celebrating that.”
This year Arts Alive Festival launched with Jazz on the Lake on Sunday, 1 September, kicking off a long and stimulating programme for all residents. The festival is a programme which celebrates Joburg’s diversity through music, dance, theatre, community festivals, educational workshops, and art exhibitions.
The 15th InnerCity High School Drama Festival started on Friday, 30 August and will run until Saturday, 7 September where the best production award will be presented to the top high school by the Outreach Foundation. Forty schools have registered to participate in this film production.
The Gauteng Government will host the Intellectual Property and Music Rights Workshop to assist in avoiding the ills experienced by artists in South Africa at Eyethu Lifestyle Centre in Mofolo, Soweto on 16 September.
Among other activities include the inter-continental dance championships to be attended by 15 countries at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg from 26 to 29 September. The dance championship is hosted by the Dance Supreme. The Beat Makers will host a workshop on 21 September to inspire children using music in Region C.
From 13 to 15 September, FNB Art Joburg will host an exhibition with a strong lifestyle component of the fair, encouraging visitors to interact with South African and African creative networks at Sandton Convention Centre.
Details: City of Johannesburg www.arts-alive.co.za; 011 407 6024.
