The heavy-handed, top-down approach during the lockdown has not worked; NGOs, coalitions and community networks have, write Karl von Holdt and Tasneem Essop
The heavy-handed, top-down approach during the lockdown has not worked; NGOs, coalitions and community networks haveSouth African National Defence Force soldiers patrol the streets in Yeoville and the inner city in Johannesburg, during the national lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. Picture: ALON SKUY
In Khayelitsha, Cape Town, the Social Justice Coalition formed a community action network and mobilised to demand water tanks from the city — which actually arrived within a week. The CAN, too, organised teams to inform community members about how to respond to the pandemic. The broader CAN movement in Cape Town has expanded to play a similar role.
They were motivated by three overriding concerns: to strengthen community responses; ensure government responses did not exacerbate inequality and exclusion; and propose measures that would not only counter the immediate social and economic crisis, but also lay the foundations for a different kind of future.
These and other initiatives that are not part of the C19 People’s Coalition reveal a vibrant and resourceful set of movements and networks with deep roots in communities and workplaces. Yet despite efforts, and notwithstanding some ad hoc local collaborations, there has been no systematic engagement from a government which, it is increasingly clear, is too distant and disorganised to directly access communities and ameliorate desperation and social distress.
These have turned fatal in some cases — the death of Collins Khoza in Alexandra, who was allegedly assaulted by soldiers; the death of Sibusiso Amos in Vosloorus allegedly from the intervention of Ekurhuleni metro police and private security; and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate is now investigating the death of a man in Soweto, who was allegedly assaulted by police.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gauteng bolsters health system in fight against COVID-19The Gauteng government’s aim is eventually to have 2200 beds in the fight against COVID-19.
Read more »
UIF beneficiaries qualifying for Covid-19-related payments may miss outThousands of people qualifying to receive UIF payments due to the disruption of work by the coronavirus may not get their money on time, if at all.
Read more »
Travel agency, clients at loggerheads as Covid-19 derails the trip of a lifetimeA group of friends were happy to cancel their long-planned trip to Thailand as the coronavirus began spreading rapidly, but a month after signing refund forms they are still fighting to get their refund from Sandton-based travel agency, Hey Traveller
Read more »
Many unknowns about Covid-19 as parents fret over reopening of schoolsAs parents wait to hear what will become of this school year, a major fear is that their children will contract Covid-19 once back at school. But Prof Salim Abdool Karim says “the data we have from China shows that this disease is quite mild in children”
Read more »
SA’s Covid-19 death toll now at 86, as confirmed cases rise to 4 361South Africa now has 4 361 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 7 more virus-related deaths, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed on Saturday.
Read more »
Auditor-general Kimi Makwetu keeps close eye on Covid-19 crisis cashSome municipalities want part of the R20bn Covid-19 relief fund to help them deliver basic services.
Read more »