The United National Transport Union (UNTU) is humbled by all the goodwill and help from organisations and individuals who are walking an extra mile to lift the traumatic and devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on South Africa.
“This pandemic reminded us of what we can achieve if we stand and work together. It is a privilege to be in any position where you can make a difference, irrespective of how small of insignificant your role might seem,” says Clayten du Plessis, Executive Council Member of UNTU who serves on the Board of Trustees of the Uitenhage Provincial Hospital.
Du Plessis assisted Gift of the Givers, a humanitarian non-governmental organization, this week with handing out goodie bags to nurses on International Nursing Day to thank them for the hard work and sacrifices they have in this global pandemic and to wish them all the best in the fight against the upcoming third wave of infections in South Africa.
Gift of the Givers describe the dedicated medical personal at all hospitals as the unsung heroes and South Africa’s backbone in the fight against Covid-19.
Du Plessis says UNTU felt the impact of the pandemic after more than two hundred of the Union’s members passed on during the first and second wave. To date Covid-19 claimed the lives of more than 55 000 South Africans.
According to Du Plessis he immediately accepted the honour of serving as a trustee when asked to do so as he believes in leading by example and in helping unconditionally where one can.
On behalf of UNTU he also thanked the members of the Union and UNTU employees who are continuously involved in projects in their own communities to assist with lessening the severe impact of the virus.
“UNTU is not only a true rainbow union, but we are also a family who gives meaning to our social responsibilities in society though our own moto UNTUCares.
Let us continue to hold each other tight and work hard in our efforts to fight the spreading of the virus,” says Du Plessis.
