SA lacking in vital responsibility

South Africans are world beaters when it comes to avoiding reality – as well as responsibility. And both of those traits are in evidence as the feared Covid-19 “storm” looms. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s words yesterday were sobering. The spike in infections, which will spiral into the hundreds of thousands over the next few weeks, will be “devastating and decimating”, he said. Our infection toll will take us into the list of the worst-affected nations in the world in a short space of time.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma admitted in parliament yesterday that nothing could have prepared the country for the pandemic. And, she said, the government had done all it could.

Mkhize also pointed out the “reckless” behaviour of many South Africans, now that the lockdown restrictions have been eased to allow the economy to breathe again. People are not wearing masks, or sticking to social distancing when mixing with others.

What was clear from the comments was that the ministers and the government seem to have accepted the inevitable. Now it is up to us – ordinary South Africans – to keep safe ourselves and to protect others.

It is also apparent that the coronavirus is going to be with us for a long time – making it even more important that we change our habits. Those habits include socialising at close range… but they also include an inbred refusal to listen to authority.

Sometimes it is through ignorance but, mostly, it is because we have a “don’t tell me what to do” attitude. So, we would rather enjoy our own “freedom” while possibly endangering the lives of other, vulnerable, people.

One day, perhaps at a funeral of one of our own loved ones, we will realise: you can’t turn back the clock on death.