18 July 2020 4 Min Read

COVID-19 WRAP | Mkhize appeals to South Africans to practice Covid precautions

Loading ...

July 18 2020 - 21:17

We do not have a cure, please practice Covid precautions – Mkhize

Covid-19 message from the minister of health

As Government, we have mobilised every resource, every faculty and wherewithal at our disposal to effect the necessary interventions.

But government cannot manage this unilaterally. Every single South African now needs to focus on adhering to recommendations pertaining to non-pharmaceutical interventions. We are extremely concerned that fatigue seems to have set in and South Africans are letting down their guard at a time when the spread of infection is surging. We see poor or no social distancing in communities.

Masks are being abandoned or not worn properly and there is laxity setting in around frequent hand-washing. This will directly influence the rise in numbers in the next two weeks.

We must all appreciate that there is a direct causal link between the surge of cases and our ability, or inability, to ad- here to these very basic principles. We do not have a vaccine. We do not have a cure.

Our ability to break the cycle of infection depends on our willingness to remain focused and disciplined and take non-pharmaceutical interventions seriously. We can beat this pandemic together.

We have already proved this during the lockdown. It remains in each and every citizen’s hands to admonish family members, colleagues, friends. who refuse to adhere to measures that protect lives by limiting the spread of this virus.

July 18 2020 - 16:29

ANC in KZN to draw lessons from Madiba in fight against Covid-19

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has vowed to strengthen its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic by drawing inspiration from late former statesman Nelson Mandela.

The party's provincial chair Sihle Zikalala paid tribute to the global icon in Howick on Nelson Mandela International Day on Saturday.

“Today the world commemorates Nelson Mandela International Day under very different circumstances.

“Humanity is facing one of the greatest threats in the 21st century, the Covid-19 pandemic.”

July 18 2020 - 15:09

It's better to lose the school year than lives: Mmusi Maimane

One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane believes it is better to lose the school academic year than to lose lives.

Maimane, together with his One South Africa movement, is appealing against a judgment of the full bench of the North Gauteng High Court which dismissed his application to bar schools from reopening.

He is approaching the Constitutional Court for the second time on this matter after his earlier application for direct access was dismissed last month.

July 18 2020 - 13:08

Metal Madiba reminds Pietermaritzburg residents to wear masks

A giant metal sculpture of late former statesman Nelson Mandela's face is sporting a giant mask to encourage residents of greater Pietermaritzburg to protect themselves against Covid-19.

The three-metre high artwork is being displayed at Global Scrap Metal in Mkhodeni, an industrial area outside Pietermarizburg.

Global Scrap Metal commissioned an employee and artist, Minenhle Nxele, to make the 3D sculpture of Mandela's face in 2018.

July 18 2020 - 12:17

Honour Madiba's legacy by putting nation's health first during Covid-19 pandemic, parliament urges

Parliament on Saturday called on South Africans to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela by putting the health of those at home and in their communities first during the coronavirus pandemic.

As the country and world commemorated Mandela Day, parliament reminded the nation of the famous quote by the late struggle icon and former president that “a fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of”.

July 18 2020 - 12:02

Fear of infection is keeping children from the classroom, principals tell Angie Motshekga

Fear and anxiety is leading to high pupil absenteeism in many SA schools as Covid-19 infections continue to increase.

This is one of several concerns members of the SA Principals Association (Sapa) put on the table to education minister Angie Motshekga on Friday, as part of her consultations with education stakeholders about the closure of schools.

Sapa provincial heads shared several issues they were concerned about regarding the Covid-19 crisis and how it has affected their schools.

July 18 2020 - 10:16

Coronavirus lays bare South Africans' toxic relationship with alcohol

South Africa's move to reimpose an alcohol sales ban as its coronavirus epidemic surges has eased pressure on hospital staff but cast a bleak spotlight on the country's booze culture.

In few other countries in the world have COVID-19 and alcohol consumption become so dangerously intertwined.

With 324,221 cases, South Africa is the sixth most infected country in the world for coronavirus, according to an AFP tally.