Let’s remain united and disciplined as we fight Covid-19

The 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic does not only provide the current generation with medical lessons, but also with economic lessons.

There is evidence from that pandemic that cities which implemented absolute economic restrictions suffered economic stagnation. The stagnation demonstrates the symbiotic relation between social dynamics and the economy.

The capitalist market utility dictates that for the economy to survive it requires growth. This can be attained through an efficient process of demand and supply of goods and services.

The Covid-19 coronavirus global pandemic is the greatest threat to human health and development in a century. The virus does not only dictate new methods of survival for human beings, but it has a negative impact on the existing economic systems.

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The choice for the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is not between the need to enforce social restrictions versus the economy as some have claimed. Some people have argued that the challenge the NCCC faces is the choice between the protection of the constitutional right to life and economic growth.

The shortcoming with this assertion is that it de-links the social activities from the economic activities, a practice which could prove disastrous.

President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined a five-stage risk-adjusted strategy, which takes into consideration the critical interrelation between the social and economic impact of Covid-19.

At the heart of the strategy is the need to lift the national lockdown in a manner that takes into consideration the livelihoods of the citizens. There is also the need to reignite the economy and save the much-needed jobs.

It’s true that a full national lockdown has a negative impact on the poor, because they do not have the adequate means to afford basic needs and services. At the same time, an abrupt end of the lockdown could undo efforts to curb the spread the virus and plunge the country into an untold health crisis.

The president launched the Solidarity Relief Fund to mobilise South Africans to draw from their inherent sense of ubuntu and extend a hand to those who are severely affected by the lockdown.

In the main, the outline of the beneficiaries of the fund further demonstrates the NCCC’s awareness of the interrelation between the social dynamics and economic activities. The fund assists infant industries and offer social welfare programmes to most citizens.

Government is open to listening to suggestions and recommendations from trade unions, professional bodies and all citizens on the means to enhance different economic activities in phases.

The competent ministers will then draft and share government gazettes to the nation as enshrined in the Constitution. The success of the risk-adjusted strategy depends on the level of discipline, commitment and contribution of all citizens, especially the public servants who are entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the implementation of the social relief programmes.

This then calls for collaborations across all sectors, seamless cooperative governance, across the three spheres of government and a zero tolerance for venality by the law enforcement agencies.

The task to curb the pandemic is arduous and it requires appropriate measures. There is no room to think of creative measures to steal from the people, because all public servants must be occupied with finding solutions to the current challenges.

It is through such times that leaders are shaped and history written. Therefore, public servants have an option to choose to be on the right side of history and be remembered for their gallantry in the fight against the pandemic, or to be remembered for stealing from the state coffers. The public servants must choose South Africans over corruption!

The duration of each stage of the lockdown depends on the behaviour, consciousness and conduct of each citizen. While some economic activities will resume on May 1, it is critical that everyone continues to practice social distancing, good hygiene and stay at home.

Government will continue to actively communicate the implementation of the risk-adjusted strategies for the gradual lifting of the lockdown. The quality of discipline and depth of indifference against fake news will allow the country to continue to find ways of balancing the need to protect human lives, the protection of citizens’ livelihoods and the need to stabilise the economy.

Siweya is the deputy minister in the presidency

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