Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica

“Do you want to stay in South Africa or come home? You may be forced to make a decision now.”

That was the text message I got from my sister in USA on March 19. Four days earlier, President Ramaphosa had declared South Africa a State of Disaster even though at the time South Africa only had 51 cases of Corona Virus and no deaths. He called for social distancing when in public, promoted the elbow bump greeting, closed schools and banned public gatherings of 50 or more, in effect closing churches. That morning at church, our pastor had called us to pray for the world facing Corona virus, by forming circles and holding hands! 3000 people in a public place holding hands to pray for a highly contagious disease – that’s how “serious” the situation appeared to be in our little corner of the world.

By March 19 when I got my sister’s message, the number of cases in SA had barely increased and the situation seemed much worse in USA so why should we go home? A google search revealed that the USA State Department was calling its citizens home. South Africa was banning Americans from entering and the USA was telling us to come home before it’s too late. Whichever country we chose, we would be stuck there for months to come while the world’s borders closed and countries hunkered down for the battle. We chose to stay.

Four days after that, Ramaphosa declared a complete lockdown would begin. A lockdown is not “Stay at Home”, “Shelter in Place”, “self isolation” or whatever they are calling this all across USA.

It began at midnight on Thursday March 26 and is officially called a 21 Day Lockdown. Early that morning, President Ramaphosa dressed in army fatigues, acting as the Commander in Chief, deployed the South African National Defence Force to help the police enforce the lockdown. Schools, nurseries, and churches were already closed. Now ALL businesses and shops are closed except for Medical providers and those involved in the production, distribution and supply of food and basic goods, essential banking services, the maintenance of power, water and telecommunications services, and laboratory services.

No restaurants, bars or coffee shops may be open – not even for take-out or delivery. The President says buy food and take it home and cook it yourself.

Grocery stores are open but limited hours and the police are limiting the number of people entering the store at one time. There are limits on the number of each item you can buy to ensure that no one is hoarding. No nonessential items are for sale: toys, cigarettes, and alcohol. Can you imagine that? No alcohol sales for 21 days! Whoo-eee, I’d like to see Trump try that in USA. In an election year.

You may only leave the house to seek medical care, buy groceries, go to pharmacy, buy petrol, or collect a social grant. There are roadblocks to stop cars where you must show documentation that you are an essential worker or show receipt for essential shopping.

Violations will be prosecuted – up to 6 months in jail, or a fine.

When people saw the army vehicles moving in, it became very real. The term “skop ‘n donner” was heard once again. This is what they called the harassment, abuse and violence used by police and soldiers during the days of Apartheid when they were enforcing curfew and pass laws. Ramaphosa’s speech to his troops that morning: “This is not a moment for skop 'n donner. It is a moment to protect our people. When they see you with your guns, they will be fearful. But we want them to know that you are there to be supportive of them.”

Social justice issues already smoldering in South Africa are now intensified as we face the crisis. In my next blog, I will explain why it is so crucial to stop the virus NOW in South Africa, why the potential for devastation is magnified in this country. Will we come together to save each other or will this be the spark that sets it all aflame?

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica means God Bless Africa. This is the national anthem of South Africa and it is sung in 5 different languages: Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English. The anthem was pieced together with songs from different people groups in 1997 when South Africa was becoming a brand new country. How the violence was set aside to become one nation was truly miraculous. I pray that South Africa can do it again – come together.

Here are the last two verses:

One day we'll be able to touch again!

Out of the blue of our heavens

Out of the depths of our seas

Over our everlasting mountains

Where the echoing crags resound

Sounds the call to come together and united we shall stand

Let us live and strive for freedom, in South Africa our land.