Community Project

 

With so many large order requests coming in, we partnered with a community project run on the property of one of Sibanye Stilwater goldmines. For us this was the perfect way to let the money from the face masks flow back into the community that would be hard hit when the Corona Virus becomes epidemic in South Africa. We thought that we only had a few weeks window to get masks out onto the faces of the people.

 

The community factory had about 40 sewing machines and could theatrically produce up to 400,000 face masks in a week. But Sibanye said no! "All community programmes" on their property "particularly infrastructure and skills development programmes will be stopped until further notice. Only agriculture projects that have been exempted will continue within the guidelines of the lock down."

 

We tried to appeal Sibanye's decision as this community factory is making essential items and is needed to the upcoming battle to reduce the spread of the pandemic. Nothing, not a word from Sibanye. It looks like we have to go on our own until after lockdown.