Some cannot afford to pay the 500 rand (£22) monthly rent - for a shack. In Kliptown, one of the poorest parts of Soweto, to the south-west of Johannesburg, there is desperation. Sporadic rioting has broken out in some poor communities around Johannesburg and near Cape Town. Though the government has promised support, there are problems reaching those who need it most. Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP via Getty Images It is like I have been bound in chains … I understand it is for the whole world but we don’t know how or when we will solve ,” Rabutla said.Ī woman sells masks to residents in Olievenhoutbosch. “We had no chance to prepare, to get food, to get ready, to save some money. All those who made enough for dinner for their families through selling home-made food at a stall, ironing in middle-class homes nearby, labouring, or – in the case of Rabutla – working as a seamstress, have been deprived of an income. In Olievenhoutbosch, as in other townships across South Africa, the restrictions have prevented thousands from earning a precarious living. South Africa’s rapid response and proactive campaign to contain the disease has been widely praised, and has so far limited the outbreak to 7,572 confirmed cases, with 148 deaths.īut the cost of the lockdown has been steep in a country where half the population of 56 million live in poverty. We have not seen an official here since the disease came,” Rabutla, 57, said. “We got a parcel but with this corruption and inefficient people we have not got anything from the government. Thousands formed queues to receive a package of flour, rice, baked beans and tinned fish. Then, a local charitable organisation set up a hand-out of food parcels. week there was excitement in the township, where 70,000 people live in tightly packed rows of small houses and shacks surrounded by the malls, business parks and gated communities that sprawl around Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city.įirst, the strict lockdown imposed across South Africa in late March to stem the spread of Covid-19 was eased to allow people out of their homes between 6am and 9am for exercise, and for a few to go back to work. In a country that enshrines the right to religious freedom, all effort must be made to support our people in the exercise of this right. Over this coming weekend, millions of South Africans will be observing an important tenet of their faith. Faced with this reality, faith communities are encouraged to innovate in the holding of congregational worship over the upcoming Easter and Ramadan periods – as they did last year.” Many countries eased restrictions, only for there to be resurgences that necessitated the imposition of even harsher restrictions. “Experience has taught us that we shouldn’t tempt fate. The government is currently deliberating on these and other issues, and will make an announcement in the coming days.” “A number of religious organisations have asked that some of the existing restrictions on the size of congregations be eased – especially as we prepare for Easter and Ramadan observances.
Easter restrictions, therefore, may extend through to mid-April: However, the 68-year-old also warned that lifting lockdown measures when the risk-level is high could usher in another COVID-19 resurgence. Speaking on Monday, Cyril revealed he’s been asked to review restrictions ahead of Ramadan – something that is currently ‘under consideration’ by Cabinet. READ: Cyril Ramaphosa urges religious groups to ‘worship innovatively’ Ahead of these events, family gatherings and large religious ceremonies usually take place… something that President Ramaphosa now seems to be actively thinking about.
#South africa first lockdown date full#
The day after is the first full day of fasting, known as the Sawm. The first evening of fasting for Ramadan takes place on Monday 12 April.
Nonetheless, it’s looking increasingly possible that stricter regulations could last ‘a little longer’ than the extended weekend break itself. The most likely outcome is a shift to Level 2, but as we’ve learned painfully over the last year, it’s perhaps best to expect the unexpected. South Africa is awaiting confirmation of a family meeting at some point this week.
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