![]() Ramaphosa shared his appreciation for these sacrifices, noting “the important role congregational worship plays in giving solace, comfort, and strength to the men, women, and children of South Africa.” For most of sub-Saharan Africa, religious leaders are perceived as more credible and trustworthy than other leaders according to Afrobarometer, 69 percent of citizens trust religious leaders. In mid-March, he praised the Methodist Church, the Zion Christian Church, and the Muslim Judicial Council for canceling Easter services, Friday prayer, and an annual pilgrimage, respectively. Ramaphosa has coordinated with religious leaders to fight the pandemic. Tapping religious and non-traditional leaders.Ramaphosa’s deference to experts has increased his government’s credibility and effectiveness. Under the guidance of health experts, the government has mobilized 28,000 health workers to screen more than 1 in 10 South Africans in the past month. Salim Abdool Karim who routinely explains the government’s response to the pandemic on national television. Ramaphosa and Mkhize also often cede centerstage to the country’s scientists, including Dr. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize noted as much last month, saying the decision to ease regulations was supported by modeling projections from a consortium of analysts. The government has based its policies on scientific evidence, adjusting restrictions in consultation with professionals. Although South Africa has less than 5 percent of the continent’s population, it accounts for 30 percent of Africa’s tests. This expertise has been translated to both expand contact tracing efforts and identify the key populations important in the transmission of the virus. The government and its partners have the know-how and infrastructure to conduct widespread testing. South Africa has applied its experiences from public health campaigns against tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS epidemics to curb the spread of coronavirus. Q1: What explains South Africa’s relative success in its Covid-19 response?Ī1: President Ramaphosa is wisely borrowing best practices from past responses to heath emergencies in South Africa, including mobilizing the public and private sector, following guidance from the scientific community, and conducting outreach to religious leaders and political opponents. At least eight police officers are being investigated for deaths related to the lockdown. ![]() Even more troubling, there have been allegations of security forces abuse. While crime went down in general, there have been incidents of lootings, especially liquor stores, and more than 17,000 people have been arrested. ![]() In its earliest stages, the lockdown slowed down the rate of infections-around a 3 percent daily increase-but not without its costs. Leveraging its experience with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, it has deployed mobile testing units and plans to produce 10,000 ventilators. His government moved to close borders and restrict movement and now is gradually adjusting alert levels and policies to ease enforcements in specific cities and communities. President Cyril Ramaphosa has been an effective communicator, speaking frankly to his constituents about challenges ahead. South Africa’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak has been a standout in the region.
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