'I profusely apologise': Eastern Cape health MEC on 'andidikwe' blunder

29 April 2020 - 10:17 By Nonkululeko Njilo

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Eastern Cape health MEC Sindiswa Gomba made the remark in the presence of other MECs and health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize. File photo.
Image: MARK ANDREWS

Health MEC in the Eastern Cape Sindiswa Gomba has apologised for her utterances during an online briefing on the coronavirus in which she used the term 'andidikwe' — which, loosely translated, means 'I am fed up' or 'irritated' — saying it had created a wrong impression.

Gomba who made the remark at the end of her address in the presence of other MECs and health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said she had been “moving away from her laptop and taking off her doek”.

Every day, hundreds of Covid-19 testers are at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus in South Africa. For Bhelekazi Mdlalose, nursing is more than just a job, it is a passion. Mdlalose is a registered nurse and Covid-19 tester working for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in partnership with the Department of Health. TimesLIVE followed a day in her life to see what it is like being in the frontline amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I profusely apologise for the wrong impression that this created as I am committed in the fight against this pandemic,” she said in a statement.

However, some social media users deemed the utterance a disgrace and suggested she be released from her duties.

Gomba’s office said she had spent the day visiting hospitals in Mthatha area ensuring medical stuff had personal protective equipment.

“Because of exhaustion the MEC forgot to mute her microphone when she said she was irritated or uncomfortable with the warm attire since the early hours of the morning,” said spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo.

Smuggling between South Africa and Zimbabwe is rife in Musina, Limpopo. Zimbabweans, facing a dire food security situation, can no longer buy food in the town as the coronavirus pandemic has led to the closure of the border to South Africa. Despite the erection of a R37 million fence, which was completed on April 20 2020, food is still regularly being smuggled into Zimbabwe.