The equipment was donated by the Bank of China as its seeks to help South Africa in its battle against coronavirus.

The lack of protective gear for workers in the public sector has been a source of great unhappiness, with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) dragging the Department of Health to court.

Taking delivery of the equipment, Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku said a joint effort by all sectors of society is needed to defeat coronavirus.

Chinese officials have come under fire amid reports of alleged discrimination by locals and virus prevention officials in the province of Guangzhou.

But Masuku doesn’t believe this will have a negative impact on the continent’s relationship with China.

"The Chinese academics and government will come in to share more of their experience (of fighting coronavirus), we believe that we will overcome without many casualties.”

The bank’s CEO Tao Li said they saw a need to assist South Africa in its battle against the coronavirus.

"As the Chinese enterprise in South Africa, I think it has come for us to do something for South Africa, so we donated some masks to health, I think we can do better and I believe we are stronger together.”

Jacaranda FM