SweepSouth co-founder and chief executive, Aisha Pandor, said at least R4 million a month will be needed to ensure that SweepStars and their families are able to eat and at least meet day-to-day living costs during a lockdown.

“Like everyone else, domestic workers in South Africa rely on their income to put food on the table for them and their dependents. But of course, the cost of basic necessities such as electricity and other utility expenses all add up. 

"Our research suggests that of most domestic workers, over 70% are single mothers, and that many, over 80%, are primary breadwinners,” Pandor said. 

“Our annual survey shows that domestic workers spend on average R1,100 on monthly groceries. If these workers aren't paid during the lockdown, they face worsening poverty and mounting debt. We simply cannot allow SweepStars and their children to be left to this fate.”

SweepSouth has seeded the fund, which aims to provide food and necessities to active SweepStars and their families and is also negotiating with corporate backers to contribute. 

“We are stepping into the breach to help these vulnerable families in retaining their dignity during a testing time for the whole nation, and we appeal to both the public and corporate entities to support us in doing this,” Pandor said. 

The launch of the fund has been aided by a R6 million contribution from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, which invested in SweepSouth in 2019. 

The aim of the investment into SweepSouth was to promote better family economic stability in South Africa by backing an organisation providing broad access to work opportunities. 

The company says this initial injection of funds will enable SweepStars to receive weekly financial support in the form of top-ups of between R150 and R450 during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

Building on this injection of funds, Pandor says SweepSouth's ambitions extend significantly further. “Our aim is to raise up to R12 million to contribute to SweepStars' living costs for a three-month period. 

"Their financial difficulties will extend far beyond the 21-day lockdown, so it's important to mitigate this as much as possible. We're calling on all businesses and able individuals across South Africa to join us urgently in supporting these domestic workers,” she said.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation aims to provide economic stability for South Africans living in under-served communities. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation country director, Dean Villet said the initiative couldn't have come at a more vital time.

“Having access to work opportunities with SweepSouth is imperative for the SweepStars to provide not only basic necessities for their families, but to continue toward the ultimate goal of achieving better education and opportunities for their children. 

The loss of income during this time will be detrimental, making SweepSouth’s fund critical to the communities we serve.”

African News Agency (ANA)