Ramaphosa’s Day 4 Speech: Major Testing Drive, Hope for the Country and South Africans Abroad
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday, Day 4 of the unprecedented 21-day Lockdown in the country to fight the Coronavirus 19 COVID-pandemic. He reassured those South Africans abroad that he is aware of their plight, and told South Africans back home that a major new testing and screening drive is about to be […]
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday, Day 4 of the unprecedented 21-day Lockdown in the country to fight the Coronavirus 19 COVID-pandemic. He reassured those South Africans abroad that he is aware of their plight, and told South Africans back home that a major new testing and screening drive is about to be rolled out which will make a massive difference.
The address by the President followed a meeting of the National Command Council on Sunday, 29 March 2020, which assessed the efficiency of the national lockdown which came into effect on Thursday 26 March 2020.
The President said on Monday evening how vital this lockdown has been, and that probably tens of thousands of lives have been saved by SA going into lockdown when it did… despite it being so disruptive to everyone’s lives.
He thanked most South Africans who have adhered to the new regulations, but said he was “concerned about those who have not yet realised the severity” and said government was “deeply saddened to learn that three South Africans have died from this disease”.
The president said the number of infections continues to grow – 1326 confirmed cases in SA now, and he is calling on every single South African to stay at home for the next 17 days.
He implored South Africans to only leave home for food and essential errands (medical emergency, social payments)… and reminded them to make sure to not get infected whilst out, and not infect anyone else.
“Some think it doesn’t concern them” he said, but “this is not someone else’s problem” – it can affect you whether you’re rich or poor, young or old.
Ramaphosa is paying attention to South Africans abroad
To those South Africans who have found themselves locked out of SA and stranded abroad, some still at airports, some running out of money and medicine, he said: “We are paying attention to this – and will be giving assistance wherever possible with our constrained resource.”
New Phase announced with Major Testing and Screening
The President said the country is about to enter a new phase in its fight agains the Covid-19 epidemic – in the coming days the country will be rolling out screening and testing on a huge scale. Ten thousand workers will be visiting towns, villages and rural areas all over the country to screen residents for symptoms.
Those with symptoms will be referred to local clinics for more testing. If infected with moderate symptoms, the patients will remain in isolation at home or at a facility provided by govt. Those with severe symptoms will be admitted to hospital.
Mobile technology will be used to track those with whom they came in contact, and to monitor geographical locations in real time.
“This drive is far-reaching, intensive and is unprecedented in skill,” said Ramaphosa.
South Africa’s Economic Woes will not affect anti-Coronavirus campaign
The President observed that this “great health emergency is happening at a time when South Africa’s economy is under great strain”. On the day the Lockdown began came the “sad news” he said, that Moody’s has downgraded the country to sub-investment grade.
“This will significantly increase the cost of borrowing to fund government spending”, he said, but promised that it will not change the government’s response to the threat of the spread of Coronavirus. The government will be pushing ahead and implementing “economic measures to constrain” the negative impact on the country.
He said SA remains committed to structural economic reforms.
Gratitude for generous contributions
“South Africans have come together like never before,” said Ramaphosa before thanking the Motsepe Foundation for their R1-billion contribution and Naspers for its R1.5 billion to the Coronavirus response.
He also said he is “extremely grateful” to Jack Ma, founder of Chinese-based company Alibaba which has donated vital medical supplies to SA and other countries across Africa.
Ramaphosa thanked the nurses, doctors, frontline government staff, volunteers and 18,000 security personnel drawn from police, metro police, and defence force who are “ensuring our safety”.
Referring to those army personnel who have been caught on film abusing members of the public who were not adhering to lockdown regulations, Ramaphosa said: “The task of our security personnel is to support, to reassure and comfort our people and to ensure that peace and order is maintained in our country.
“They know that they must act within the law at all times and must not cause harm to any of our people in any way whatsoever.”
He thanked the over “50 million of us and residents of our country who are standing together as one in confronting this medical emergency”.
Ramaphosa also paid tribute to farm workers, Eskom workers, caregivers who tend to the vulnerable, taxi drivers, refuse collectors, bus drivers, supermarket cashiers, hospital cleaners, petrol attendants – “you are our unsung heroes and we salute you”, he said.
A story of hope – students from Wuhan, China
Ramaphosa used the story of the repatriated 114 South Africans as a “story of hope and encouragement”. They are undergoing an 81-day lockdown – because of what they already went through in China, followed by two weeks in South Africa.
He said they are a “group of wonderful South Africans” – students, teachers and workers of diverse backgrounds in terms of race, age and location.
Rapaphosa also thanked the SAA crew, medical team, police, soldiers and “wonderful staff at the Ranch hotel for making this operation a great success. The experience should give us courage to carry on with the lockdown that the Govt has decided on.”
“We will succeed”
In closing, Ramaphos said “we are going through uncharted territory – all of us… and a number of mistakes will be made”. He asked for people to understand that all of this is being done for the good of all, and that the government will correct mistakes wherever made.
“I am convinced we will succeed because we will take this Coronavirus threat seriously as South Africans. We will adapt as a society and we will all act responsibly.”
He asked everyone to work together and keep to the path we know we have to take – “we will beat this disease. I have no doubt whatsoever we will succeed.
“I wish you good night. May God bless South Africa.”