Vusi Zwane, 39, David Zwane 42, Tony Tshabalala, 39, and Tebogo Motswedisa, 32, collect refuse in the Johannesburg CBD. “We are working hard here to make Joburg clean and corona free,” Motswedisa says proudly, his smile visible through the protective mask on his face. (Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times)
Firefighter Sipho Ngubane helps put out a fire from an overturned truck on Kliprivier Drive in Glenvista, south of Johannesburg, on the sixth day of the national lockdown. "I have been serving South Africa for 20 years as a firefighter, and I'm proud to work during the lockdown." (Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times)
Kholofelo Chauke at a drive-through Covid-19 testing station in Illovo, Johannesburg. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 60% of the 7,235 total new infections on Tuesday. (SUNDAY TIMES/ALAISTER RUSSELL)
Keep yourself safe as lockdown is lifted. (Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times)
Jarrod Gallon, 20, poses for a photograph in front of a wall featuring the handprints of previous volunteers, at the TLC Children’s Home in Bronkhorstfontein, Johannesburg, on April 2 2020. He is spending the 21-day lockdown assisting orphans at TLC, an organisation that fosters vulnerable children and places them for adoption. (Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times)
Thembelihle Silamsi (right) is volunteering at a homeless shelter while looking to study theology. "To me I'm serving God, and proud and really enjoy it. I once saw volunteers feeding people in the streets and was inspired." (Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times)
Daniel Phasiya, aged 46, works as a petrol attendant. "There is stress (of contracting Covid-19) but it's part of my job. We don't know who we help but one thing that is nice is that I can put bread on the table. I feel sorry for those who can't, we are dying for this bread." (Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times)
Kagiso Maoka is a 34-year-old administration assistant who also runs a shelter for the homeless in the Johannesburg CBD. He ensures there is food and a place to sleep for about 240 people. "We don't sleep." (Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times)
Nkululeko Mazibuko was an addict for 16 years and spent seven of those years living on the streets. The 36-year-old went to rehab through a community outreach programme and now works with addicts who live on the streets and helps people with their recovery. (Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times)
While most of us are at home during the national lockdown, some South Africans are putting their lives at risk by providing an essential service.
Despite the possibility of being exposed to the coronavirus, these heroes are working hard to keep SA running during this period of national disaster.
“If you can just stay at home for us, I'm so hopeful we will win this fight. We will overcome this,” said Kholofelo Chauke, a nurse who tests South Africans for Covid-19.
"We don't sleep," said Kagiso Maoka, who runs a shelter for the homeless in the Johannesburg CBD.
