If the United Nations’ estimates are correct, South Africa’s rural population will decline to 20% of the population by 2050. At the moment, the UN’s Population Division estimates South Africa’s rural population at just over 33% or a third of the country’s population.

The Shoprite Group’s Act For Change discount buying card is helping welfare organisations across the country to bring much-needed relief to vulnerable communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gender-based violence is a shameful social ill and as far as SPAR is concerned, the time for passive involvement in the fight against it is over. The Group, consisting of over 900 retail stores across Southern Africa, has pledged to take action against gender-based violence by offering tangible support to victims on a sustainable basis.

Inspired by customer donations in excess of R1.7 million to its in-store Act for Change Fund, the Shoprite Group is making it easier for shoppers to support organisations that are assisting the most vulnerable in local communities.

Pick n Pay’s Feed the Nation campaign will match all customer cash donations made at till points on Mandela Day, 18 July 2020, to help feed more people left vulnerable to hunger.

Shoprite recently answered the call for help from the Wisani Old Age Home and Hospice in Hammanskraal, donating a R5 000 voucher so that their food and cleaning supplies could be replenished.

The Shoprite Group, South Africa's largest private-sector employer, has opened bursary applications for the 2021 academic year.

Computicket, which launched virtual grocery vouchers to help people in need during the Covid-19 pandemic, has sold almost 200 000 vouchers valued at over R50 million since the start of the lockdown.

As a company that cares deeply about the communities in which it operates, Engen has partnered with the Gift of the Givers to provide food hampers to 50 child-headed South Durban households to commemorate Youth Day.

The generous residents of Mafikeng distinguished themselves by making the biggest contribution to the over R1.6 million donated to the Solidarity Fund by Shoprite, Checkers and Usave customers countrywide.

FoodForward SA, the leading food distributor to needy communities, has raised more than R53 million in its Covid-19 appeal campaign.

As lockdown measures have started to ease the Department of Health is gearing itself up for the anticipated increase in Covid 19 patients which will result in a shortfall of bed linen at public health care facilities.