Joining other countries in imposing strict measures in an attempt to flatten the curve of Covid-19, South Africa went into a three-week national lockdown on 26 March. But do the implemented measures of the lockdown suit overcrowded townships and informal settlements?
Residents of Kayamandi and of the informal settlement of Enkanini, are facing numerous challenges during the lockdown – one of them is being able to maintain social distancing.
Credit: Daily Maverick//Daniel Steyn & Vusi Mokoena
According to Usisipho Ngxubaza, a resident of Kayamandi, adhering to the implemented measures of the lockdown is a struggle for many people living in the area.
“The moment we step outside our door, we are literally on the streets,” said Ngxubaza. “That’s a shack – that’s the reality for most of Kayamandi’s people. This time just emphasises how unequal we are in South Africa.”
Although people are trying their best to practise social distancing, it still remains a real challenge as most areas are very condensed, said Alexandra Nomavuka, the founder and director of the non-profit organisation, Her Voice.
Is lockdown a sustainable option for SA?
“It could be argued that in some cases like this, the lockdown may make it worse by creating an artificial compression,” said Alex Welte, research professor at the Centre of Excellence for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA).
According to Welte this is an enormous issue as an alarming number of people are faced with the same situation across the country.
He believes that the critical question is how to implement a less rigorous lockdown regime. Therefore, it is important for the government to find some sustainable plan that has a substantial effect on limiting transmission.
Welte warned against blindly adopting westernised recipes to the South African situation. “It’s completely different,” said Welte. “We have to understand things like people having to share toilets and taps – that’s not negotiable.”
INFOGRAHIC: MatieMedia
Professor Alex Broadbent, director of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), also believes that the lockdown wasn’t the most favourable measure for South Africa.
“It appears that social distancing was advised without any consideration for parts of the world where people live in overcrowded and under-serviced conditions,” said Broadbent.“The models that are usually cited to illustrate the benefits are inapplicable to [most countries in Africa],” Broadbent said.
INFOGRAHIC: MatieMedia
by Leo Cordom, Heidi-Jane de Wee, Anke Nothnagel and Carl Thomas