Members of the media in Limpopo, who braved the cold weather to get their COVID-19 shots, say they will now do their work with no fear as they venture far and wide to inform, educate and entertain the public.
According to the South African National Editor Forum, about 10 people in the media industry have died of COVID-19 since 2020.
And as the battle to contain the virus continues, it has been deemed essential that media workers get vaccinated.
Journalist, Emmanuel Kwinda, says: “The fact that I was able to get the jab today makes me feel relaxed. We work with a lot of people and some of them travel a lot and this exposes us to danger.”
“I’m feeling great when members of the public see us as journalists also getting this vaccine, I think they will get encouraged to also get the vaccines,” says another journalist, Shibu Mashamaite.
“I’m obviously relieved by the gesture by the department to invite journalists to come and get the jab. We are victims of our own craft and are at risk of getting this disease,” adds Mashudu Sadike.
While journalists are grateful for finally getting their shots, the department of health in the province says it was shocked and overwhelmed by the turn-out.
Limpopo MEC for health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, says office-bound media personnel also received their vaccines. – Report by Lutendo Bobodi
The move follows calls for journalists to be declared frontline workers:
