Solidarity Fund explained

President Cyril Ramaphosa / Image via: GCIS

South Africa’s Solidarity Fund explained: Here’s where the money is going

South Africans have been urged to contribute to the Solidarity Fund, even minister salaries have been directed there. Here’s why.

Solidarity Fund explained

President Cyril Ramaphosa / Image via: GCIS

There’s been much talk around the Solidarity Fund amid a global pandemic and an extended lockdown. South Africans have been urged to contribute towards it and ministers’ salaries have been directed there. Here’s what you need to know about the fund and why it’s crucial in our battle to freedom. 

What is the Solidarity Fund?  

Let’s take it from the top, shall we? What is the Solidarity Fund and how did it come about? 

According to its specially dedicated website, the Solidarity Fund is a vehicle set up to help citizens and businesses contribute to the national disaster. 

“Across our country, people and organisations have offered to help and the Solidarity Fund is a vehicle that will be set up to facilitate this,” it said.  

“Through this fund, individuals and organisations will be able to support these efforts through secure, tax-deductible donations,” it added. 

When was the Solidarity Fund created and why? 

On Monday 23 March, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that a Solidarity Fund had been created. 

“Following consultation with social partners, we have set up a Solidarity Fund, which South African businesses, organisations and individuals, and members of the international community, can contribute to,” said Ramaphosa.

The fund was also intended to track the spread and care for those who are ill. The fund was the first phase of the economic response to the virus. 

The fund, he said, would account fully for every cent contributed and would also boast a board of eminent South Africans to ensure proper governance.

“To get things moving, government is providing seed capital of R150 million and the private sector has already pledged to support this fund with financial contributions in the coming period. We will be spending money to save lives and to support the economy,” he said.

How do we know our money is going to a good cause? 

Well, rest assured, the government said it will operate with the highest principles of corporate governance and through an independent board. 

“All activities will be reported in a transparent manner. The fund administration will be done through professional managers and organisations in the private sector. The president of South Africa has appointed Ms Gloria Serobe as the chairperson of the fund,” it said. 

Aims of the Solidarity Fund 

The aims of the solidarity fund include; prevention, detection, care and support. 

Let’s unpack each of them. 

  • Prevention – Prevent the spread of the disease by supporting measures to “flatten the curve” and lower infection rates;
  • Detection – Detect and understand the magnitude of the disease;
  • Care – Care for those in hospital or medical care; and
  • Support – Support those whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic.

‘Certain’ information must be made available when donating

Before you freak out, don’t worry, it’s not a ton of information that’s needed. The Solidarity Fund doesn’t need a vile of your blood or a strand of your hair. 

You only need to include your identity number (for individuals), company registration number or other identifying details (for companies and other legal persons), or trust registration number (for trusts), and the amount that you will be donating. 

“The information you provide will be processed by the fund, its bankers, the fund administrator, and other third parties, as necessary, to enable the fund to carry out its functions and to prepare Section 18A tax certificates in relation to donations received,” it said. 

“All information will be stored securely and in line with generally accepted information security standards,” it added. 

Minister salaries directed to the fund 

Besides urging all South Africans to contribute to the Solidarity Fund via the dedicated website www.solidarityfund.co.za, Ramaphosa also on Thursday announced that ministers would take a salary cut. 

Ramaphosa said one-third of ministers’ wages will now be taken away for a period of three months. It will then be directed straight to the Solidarity Fund. 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also confirmed that their members, including councillors, would take the same salary cut in efforts to combat the spread of the disease. One-third of their salaries will also be donated to the Solidarity Fund. 

Here’s how you can contribute towards the fund 

Looking to contribute and play your part in fighting the global pandemic? Here’s how you can donate from wherever you are. 

Banking details: 

  • Bank: Standard Bank
  • Branch Name: Sandton City
  • Account Name: Solidarity Fund
  • Account No: 023070021
  • Account Type: Current account
  • Branch Code: 051001
  • SWIFT Code: SBZAZAJJ

For all EFT payments, please include your Identity / Company Registration / Trust number, as applicable, to facilitate your Section 18A tax certificate preparation.

For organisations wishing to make any offers of non-cash donations, kindly contact 0860 001 001 between 8:00 and 18:00 South African time. Alternately, you can download the donation form here and mail the completed form to info@solidarityfund.co.za, or complete the online donation form here. A donor consultant will be in touch with you once we have processed your form. For any queries relating to non-cash donations, please contact us on 0860 001 001. 

Contact details

  • For any general information on the Solidarity Fund – info@solidarityfund.co.za
  • For individual donation queries – individual@solidarityfund.co.za
  • For corporate donation queries – corporate@solidarityfund.co.za
  • For foundation donation queries – foundation@solidarityfund.co.za
  • Telephone number – 0860 001 001