Why South Africa?

For years, people have been asking me that question. Why do I feel called to South Africa? The list of social justice issues that weigh on my heart and motivated me to start PLAY are all the same reasons why COVID 19 will roar through this country unstoppable without drastic action. When President Ramaphosa announced comprehensive restrictions at a time when there were only 51 cases and no deaths, I was impressed with his brave leadership. He knew that the unique circumstances of this country warranted an aggressive preventative response that would be hugely unpopular but absolutely necessary.

Why is it so crucial to stop the virus NOW in South Africa? Why is the potential for devastation magnified in this country?

1. Over 12 million people live in townships, informal settlements, and squatters camps. With so much humanity crammed together in small spaces, it is impossible to quarantine or use social distance practices. 
2. Many do not have running water or toilets in the home which means they cannot stay home. No clean or running water means you can’t wash your hands. Use of public water taps and shared long drop toilets will spread the virus quickly. 
3. Poverty – when there is no money to stock your pantry, you cannot stay home.
4. South Africa has the highest number of people in the world living with HIV, 7 million.  A low immune system puts them at risk.
5. Dilapidated health care system - 82 percent of people living in South Africa have no health insurance and rely on public clinics and hospitals. These facilities are overcrowded and understaffed and often fall short of coping with the high amount of communicable and infectious diseases.  

One of the worst nights of my life was the night I spent in a government clinic trying to get help for an injured PLAY camper. The nurse who was trying to draw his blood was not using gloves, in a country with the most number of HIV+ people! I battled all night to get proper care for this boy, and this was during normal times. I shudder to think what it will be like under pandemic conditions.

So you see how important it is that this lockdown works, that the virus is stopped before it hits the townships. At the time Ramaphosa declared the State of Disaster, there were no cases in the townships. The myth was circulating that black people can’t get it, it’s a white man’s disease. That’s because all the first cases were rich white people returning home from their Italian vacations.

As has become apparent all around the world, COVID 19 does not discriminate. However, it will disproportionately hit the poor as they cannot stock their pantries, cannot work from home, cannot get proper medical care. South Africa is the country that has the greatest discrepancy between the rich and the poor. This crisis will widen the gulf. The rich won’t get richer, but the poor will get poorer.

9 million South African children are on government feeding programs. They receive 2 meals a day at school, often times the only food they get each day. With schools closed, they are not getting those meals. These kids are my PLAY campers. I would love to go distribute food but I am told to stay home. I am overwhelmed at my helplessness.

And feel guilty for my bounty. Stuart and I live on retirement pensions from our careers in law enforcement. We get a check every month that we can count on. We have enough money to fill our cupboards. We have a vehicle to go to the store to bring home supplies. We don't have to risk exposure by piling into an overstuffed public transport vehicle every time we need food. We have electricity, water, toilets, internet to stay in touch with loved ones. 

In short, we have the luxury of staying home. I will never complain about having to do so. We are truly blessed.