Deputy President David Mabuza says the prevailing environment, dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the global response to it, has brought to the fore both challenges and opportunities that have changed how things are done.
He says it has also affected how people structure their lives, how they work, how they worship, as well as how they interact and conduct business.
Delivering a Christmas message to the nation, Mabuza says these changes demand on everyone’s part, more ingenuity and adaptiveness as we live alongside the virus.
“To date, we have demonstrated our ability to adapt and innovate as we did with the recently held elections of our local representatives, whose task is providing essential services to our communities. Through the recent elections, we confirmed that even under extra-ordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we do act with courage in making our voices heard.”
He adds, “Despite cumulative cases of new infections and the recorded fatalities since the last festive season, we have made progress in sailing through the difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Through collaborative work and international solidarity, scientists continue to excellently and timeously make discoveries that benefit the world in taking science-based decisions that place us in a better position to defeat COVID-19.”
Scourge of GBV and femicide
Mabuza has called on all to help fight the scourge of gender-based violence, and femicide including other social ills during this festive season. He says government has laid a solid foundation to strengthen and accelerate response to these pandemics.
He has also urged the public to usher into the new year responsibly.
“We draw inspiration from the exemplary leadership of traditional leaders, faith-based leaders and civil society in general for collaborative partnerships towards responding to social ills and challenges confronting our communities. There can be no denying that a safe and secure South Africa is not only beneficial to our citizens and communities, but for our healthcare workers to save the sick, and for tourism and investments to flourish, and lead to job creation.”
