Absa, a member of Barclays Africa, has donated R1-million towards AgriSA’s efforts to assist drought-stricken farmers and the communities that depend on farming around the country.
Sazini Mojapelo, Head of Citizenship at Barclays Africa, says: “As a leading corporate citizen and financial services provider in South Africa and the agricultural sector in particular, Absa is concerned about the impact of the current drought as well as the threat it poses to food security.”
“This is why the bank has decided to extend financial support to AgriSA-led relief efforts, aimed at assisting distressed farmers and the communities that depend on farming. We believe that Absa’s contribution, together with those made by other concerned citizens and organisations, will assist in alleviating the severe effects of the drought.”
If local farms fail to produce enough food for the country, more food products will have to be imported, increasing the prices of food that consumers have to pay. For this reason, the government and several businesses have contributed funds to disaster relief efforts.
Absa’s donation to AgriSA is part of a multipronged approach to assist drought-stricken communities. Absa has also supported its own staff members in accessing water in water-short communities.
Mojapelo notes that Absa remains committed to playing its role as a responsible corporate citizen in assisting communities in times of such crises, meeting some of the country’s socio-economic challenges and achieving shared growth.
