DURBAN - TONGAAT Hulett in partnership with the Department of Health and the South African Farmers Development Association (Safda) held a successful Covid-19 vaccination drive last month, which saw 84 farmworkers and farm management being vaccinated in Mthonjaneni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
Tongaat Hulett’s socio-economic development manager Nkonzo Mhlongo said that the company took issues of health, safety and environment seriously, as they were fundamental to the company’s sustainability and growth.
“The company continues to invest in ensuring that potential risks associated with the Covid-19 pandemic are identified, reduced or eliminated.”
Mhlongo said the company launched their #Ihavebeenvaccinatedhaveyou campaign, which is aimed at enhancing employee confidence in the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines while also managing employee expectations.
“In addition to its partnership with Safda, the company is also working with clinics and hospitals in and around its operations in Maidstone, Amatikulu and Felixton to ensure that its employees are vaccinated.”
Safda executive chairperson Dr Siyabonga Madlala said the primary goal of its partnership with Tongaat Hulett was to educate farmers and farmworkers about the importance of the Covid-19 vaccination.
“This vaccine drive was able to dismiss myths about the disease (Covid-19) that have been circulating on social media. We found that some employees on the farms that participated in the vaccination programme felt negatively about the vaccines because of the misinformation that they had, which led to our farmers and farmworkers requiring a workshop before they would consent to getting vaccinated.
“Health workers from the Department of Health led the workshop and were able to respond to the various questions posed by the farmers and farmworkers. However, we must stress that the decision to take the vaccine was voluntary.”
Madlala said: “Vaccines have proved to be effective and can reduce the risk of our farmers and employees contracting Covid-19.” Madlala added that there should be more vaccination drives in farming communities.
“This will assist the government in their campaigns to prevent the spread of the virus, and people will eventually be able to return to their regular routines without worrying about the virus.
“However, we must emphasise that these drives must have an educational focus that enable farmers and farmworkers to make an informed decision on whether to vaccinate or not.”
Foster Mohale of the Department of Health said that now more than ever, as we approach Christmas, is the time to vaccinate.
“The Department of Health urges all people, unvaccinated and partly vaccinated to vaccinate as we approach Christmas and the new year to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“We thank the more than 17 million people who have decided to vaccinate so far, including the farmworkers.
“This will reduce the spread of the virus and also reduce pressure on our hard-working healthcare workers, who sacrifice their time to save lives,” Mohale said.
THE MERCURY