I will write today to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to ask for a report on how well he is doing in persuading South African companies to make donations towards the fight against Ebola in West Africa.
 

 
Motsoaledi recently said that we need to secure R250 million to make a real difference in containing and defeating Ebola, to which the South African government contributed R33 million.
 

 
In this respect, the donation made by Patrice Motsepe of over R10 million towards the Ebola Fund in Guinea is commendable and ought to be emulated by others. It represents humanitarian assistance of the most noble kind. It is also in our national interest to help contain and defeat Ebola in West Africa.
 

 
It should be noted that South Africa is playing a leading role in the fight against Ebola. Our medical scientists are making a major contribution at the WHO, at the United Nations and in West Africa. The National Health Laboratory Service is the premier pathology testing service in Africa. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases' Special Pathogens Unit is at the core of our mobile Ebola unit operating in West Africa.
 
Private companies should make contributions where possible. If Motsepe's contribution is matched by 20 others from the private sector, Motsoaledi might just reach his target.
 

 
The Minister must update us all on this project. We call on South Africans to support this campaign to stop Ebola.

Issued by DA