National Assembly Deputy Speaker to get COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday

National Assembly Deputy Speaker and African National Congress (ANC) MP Lechesa Tsenoli says he is excited that he will finally get his COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday.

Tsenoli is among the Parliamentarians over the age of 60-years-old, who qualify to be vaccinated in the second phase of the roll out campaign.

Another ANC MP and Health Committee Chairperson Sibongiseni Dhlomo, who is also over 60- years-old, received his first vaccination dose in his hometown of Ubumbulu in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.

Tsenoli says he will take his vaccine dose publicly at a Cape Town hospital on Wednesday morning

“I have been waiting patiently so that I too become amongst the over 60s to be vaccinated. It’s a critical part of at least ensuring that one more person has had the first vaccination (and) to wait for the next one.”

“It increases our ability to withstand the coronavirus. We have to take the courage to do so, however we feel about it and I am grateful to the Department of Health for finally pulling it off,” adds Tsenoli.

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Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube says some of the party’s 23 MPs who are over the age of 60 have been vaccinated.

“Many of them are looking forward to getting their vaccines and they are looking forward to leading by example by getting their vaccines. A number of them have already had their first jab and will be waiting on to get their second vaccine as part of the vaccination process.”

“It is once again disappointing that the vaccination process is not as fast as it should be,  simply because we know that it is the only way that we can cushion ourselves against the impact of the third wave. We encourage all people who are over the age of 60, who are healthcare workers to get their vaccinations as quickly as possible as quickly as they can,” explains Gwarube.

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