The birth of Mthunzi Network, an Innovative Response to the COVID-19 Lockdown

In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa, an innovative idea was birthed out of the COVID-19 Platform organized by AVPA. The idea was to develop redeemable vouchers for food and other essential products that would help vulnerable people, support small businesses (especially spaza shops/Kiosks) as well as the bigger stores. This idea was further strengthened by collaboration with the South African Council of Churches. The Mthunzi Network was incorporated into an NPC within four weeks and by the end of August, had distributed almost 100,000 vouchers that can be exchanged at retailers across the country for food and essential items.