As of midnight tonight, the individual resilience and responsibility to self and the nation will be truly tested as we enter three weeks of lockdown to try and flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus. And despite government having pleaded with shoppers not to panic buy, the emptying of shelves continues.
With the message not seeming to get through to consumers, retail giant Pick n Pay has joined forces with some of our top artists to create a novel song called Don’t’ Panic Buy!
Written by Ard Matthews and produced by Theo Crous, the song features an impressive list of local celebs like Zolani, Lira, Madjozi, the Parlotones Kahn Morbee, Arno Carstens, Karen Zoid, Early B, Francois van Coke, Loyiso Bala and Jack Parow. The song urges shoppers to only buy what they need, advising that there is no reason to stockpile more than is necessary.
In closing, the words of John Bradshaw, retail executive of marketing at Pick n Pay, “There is enough food in the supply chain, and we ask customers to support us by not stocking up beyond what they need. Our stores will remain open, safe and well-stocked for our customers during this time so that they can continue to get what they want and need.”
An inspired idea – let’s hope the message gets through this time. If you’d like to sing along, here are the lyrics. Nice one all round - it certainly had my toes tapping!
The whole wide world is going insane
‘Cos suddenly the things we know are not the same.
But that doesn’t mean we lose control
‘Cos now’s the time to keep from falling apart, we gotta keep love in our hearts.
Friends don’t let friends panic buy
‘Cos you don’t want to be that guy
Please think of those in need (think about what you really need)
‘Cos we got a lot of hungry mouths to feed
What good will it do if you take all the loo roll
Leave some pasta for a brother or a mother in need, we’re all one family tree
The whole wide world needs to work together now
You will see we will be better than ever before, so please don’t take any more than you need
Come on now
Friends don’t let friends panic buy (there’s a lot coming up, so don’t take more than you need)
‘Cos you don’t want to be that guy (there’s enough coming up on the shelf, you will see)
Please think of those in need (think about what you really need)
‘Cos we got a lot of hungry mouths to feed.
No one likes ‘that guy’. That’s why friends don’t let friends panic buy. Some of SA’s musos hit the studio to remind you to shop responsibly and with your community in mind. ???? pic.twitter.com/l78JSkFxt1
— Pick n Pay (@PicknPay) March 25, 2020
