South Africa’s prudent decision to institute a countrywide lockdown has circumvented an exponential explosion of cases of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic within the borders of the country, the Department of Health said on Tuesday. The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said while the lockdown will not spell the end of new infections, it has, […]

Many journalists, including us, are finding the quantity of science reports on Covid-19 overwhelming. The aim of this occasional column, which we’re calling Covid-19 Report, will be to alert reporters in South Africa (and anyone else who is interested) to the best and most important science, and also clear up misconceptions. What’s our methodology? We […]

About 1.5 million more South Africans will from 1 May return to work as government begins to lift a fraction of COVID-19 lockdown regulations. This comes as government gradually eases the economy back into activity as announced this week by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The regulations were introduced last month as government sought to counter the […]

2020 was going to be a great year for everyone… writes Ari Seirlis, an advisor to the President on disability matters and strategy. I remember reading many friends’ Facebook comments about how this new decade was going to be groundbreaking – vast opportunities, wealth, health and relationships were all going to flourish. A Black Swan […]

A delegation of 217 Cuban Medical specialists arrived in South Africa in the early hours of Monday, just after midnight. The Cuban Medical brigade includes infectious diseases specialists, and has come to South Africa to support the country in its efforts to deal with #Covid_19, said the National Department of Health South Africa. The group […]

South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele has issued an apology to the Muslim community for blasphemous remarks during the arrest of worshippers at a Mosque on Saturday. The video of the arrest, where a police officer can be heard making the remarks during the arrest in Masibekela, Mpumalanga, has been doing the rounds on social […]

South Africa has confirmed a total of 4 546 COVID-19 cases, with 87 deaths. “We regrettably report another COVID-19 related death in the Western Cape, which increases the total number of deaths to 87. “We convey condolences to the family and appreciate our frontline workers who treated this patient,” the Minister of Health, Dr Zwelini […]

A generous-hearted group of South Africans in Cape Town have been cooking, collecting and dishing out food to hundreds of people in township communities who may otherwise be starving. It started small just a week ago but is now reaching thousands, after Western Cape resident Helen During rallied her friends to help donate food because […]

Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged religious leaders and congregants to stay at home as the country continues to observe the COVID-19 lockdown. The Minister’s comments follow a video clip that surfaced on Twitter depicting the arrest of 17 congregants, who had allegedly gathered for prayer in Pretoria West on Friday. The Ministry in a […]

“The last decent meal I had was a month ago … I don’t know how I will pay my [R250] rent this month,” says Munyaradzi, who asked for his surname to be withheld. Munyaradzi is one of a group of Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa who want to be repatriated. They say making ends […]

South Africa now has 4 220 confirmed Coronavirus cases, with four new deaths. The Department of Health on Friday said the four deaths were recorded in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (two in each province). This brings the total number of deaths to 79. The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has conveyed condolences to […]

As schools enter a second month of lockdown in South Africa, parents and teachers are stretched to the limit to keep up with schooling at home. But while some learners can continue online, many have to cope with the challenge of sporadic communication with their teachers and a lack of connectivity and resources. Can learners […]

Keeping spirits high in Johannesburg during the Covid-19 outbreak – the healthcare workers at Netcare Linksfield Hospital in Orange Grove gathered together (but keeping social distance!) this morning – Friday 24 April 2020 – to sing South Africa’s National Anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. The footage was filmed by Dr Gabriel Doucas in what has become […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has proved just how great a leader he is, laughing at himself after the mask incident last night following his address to the nation. Watch below as the South African President jokes that he’s going to open a TV channel. Having the last laugh, the President said: “For those who were laughing […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it is extremely concerned by ongoing violent community protests outside the Ntunjambili Hospital in Kranskop, allegedly as a result of residents not wanting Covid-19 patients to be isolated when treated at the facility. While the protest action was eventually broken up by the South African Police Service (SAPS) through the […]

South Africa has recorded 318 new COVID-19 cases, with the total number of confirmed cases at 3 953 as of Thursday. The country has also reported 10 new deaths – with the Western Cape recording six deaths, KwaZulu-Natal two deaths and Gauteng and the Eastern Cape have each recorded one death. This brings the number […]

Life in South Africa will gradually begin to return to normal from next month, with government steadily easing the COVID-19 lockdown regulations, albeit under stringent stipulations. From 1 May, government will implement a risk-adjusted strategy aimed at easing the current lockdown restrictions. The decision was taken during a National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) meeting on […]

President Donald Trump has pledged US support for South Africa in a call with SA President Cyril Ramaphosa. The South African president tweeted on Thursday early evening: “I had a very productive call with His Excellency President @realDonaldTrump of the United States of America. “We discussed the impact of #COVID19 on our two countries.” According […]

According to the Gauteng Health Department sub-district figures for Covid-19 cases, the following areas have the highest flare-up of cases of Covid-19 in Gauteng – Sandton, Alexandra, Orange Grove and Houghton.   Johannesburg accounted for 712 (59%) out of 1199 infections in Gauteng as at 21 April. Highest Cases of Coronavirus to Lowest in Joburg […]

The Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) Health Emergencies Programme, Michael Ryan, has again praised South Africa for its strategy in handling the coronavirus pandemic. The Irishman said there has been a “tremendous amount of innovation going on in Africa in general” and specifically honed in on South Africa. Ryan said: “Again it […]

The COVID-19 lockdown has seen crime decrease significantly since the introduction of the National State of Disaster regulations, says Police Minister Bheki Cele. Speaking in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday, the Minister expressed satisfaction at inroads made by law enforcement agencies across SA since the regulations were gazetted last month. The regulations were introduced in an effort […]

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has unanimously supported the employment of an additional 73,180 members of the South African National Defence Force to assist the SA government’s intervention in the fight against #COVID19. Committee chairperson Cyril Xaba said the committee is satisfied by the reasons given by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the necessity to […]

South Africa has 3 635 confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, announced on Wednesday. This is an increase of 170 cases from the previous night. In a statement, Mkhize confirmed that seven more COVID-19 related deaths had been recorded, bringing the total number to 65. Five of the deaths occurred in […]

A director of the board of Brand South Africa and ANC councillor has been suspended after allegations of breaking the lockdown by having a birthday party with friends. At the same time, 131 security force members, councillors and government officials have been arrested for violation the Coronavirus regulations. Tebogo Mamorobela was suspended pending an investigation […]

Many South Africans are feeling despondent, nervous about the unemployment ahead and wondering what the covid-19 ‘fuss’ was about… not realising that “only” 58 dead is because the President made a brave call for an early lockdown, averting the tragic fatal statistics seen in countries like Italy and Spain. And last night, watching President Cyril […]