The CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc in the world’s economy – and it appears that it is not yet done.  Among the countries affected have been the largest and wealthiest to the smallest and poorest, with their economies all stretched to different levels.

Although we have lived through the HIV-AIDS epidemic, which was given free reign in this country to cause maximum devastation and claim thousands of lives which could have been saved, thanks to the callous policies of the administration in charge at the time, we have not had to live with as much fear as we do now. We knew then how to avoid contracting the HI Virus, but we don’t know how to avoid exposure to COVID-19. We have been told what to do to reduce or minimise the chances of contracting it, but nobody can say with certainty that s/he will not contract it.

The South African economy, which was already in trouble before the first case of COVID-19 infection was reported in the country, having shrunk considerably in Q4 last year because of Eskom’s load shedding which went up to an unprecedented level 6, has taken a massive hammering since then. With the economy shut down in April, with the exception of essential services, and with a limited return to work in May under lockdown level four, there is no doubt that both Q1 and Q2 2020 will also record significant negative growth levels. Indeed, we are certain to experience a massive deficit in our Growth Domestic Product for the year.

We will not be alone. Many other countries across the globe are set to have similar experiences. That means that we are heading for a global recession. That is deeply worrying, given the degree of the world’s interconnectedness today, something which, although a great positive, is also the reason why COVID-19 has travelled seamlessly from China to different parts of the world.

Thankfully, we have been lucky to have real leadership provided at Government level since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the number of people who have been critical of him and the Government has been rising steadily in recent weeks, there is absolutely no doubt that President Cyril Ramaphosa has risen to the challenge and offered felt – and even visible – leadership during this crisis. This has contrasted sharply with his apparent reluctance, until then, to take tough decisions which had the potential to upset some of his supporters within the ANC-led alliance.

South Africa’s handling of the CoronaVirus pandemic has compared favourably with the way that other countries have reacted to it. While there have since been various controversies raging about some of the regulations that have been put in place by the Government, there was hardly recall a discordant voice which greeted the decision to place the country in a comprehensive lockdown with effect from 26 March.

That decision was met with praise from all quarters. Discordant voices started to emerge when President Ramaphosa announced an extension of that level-5 lockdown until the end of April. At first it was the tobacco lobby that shouted the loudest, and others joined the chorus in the days and weeks that followed. That chorus became deafening after the Government decided to move the country to a level-4 lockdown, with some of the tough regulations remaining.

Understandably, business and other economic actors have been impatient with the Government and very eager for the lockdown to be lifted either in full or at a much quicker pace. There can be no gainsaying that, necessary though it was, the lockdown has worsened South Africa’s economic malaise. That is why there is a lot of merit in the calls for the lockdown to be relaxed or even lifted.

However, this is one time when it cannot be easy to be in the shoes of Ramaphosa and his Cabinet colleagues. Unlike the official opposition, which can shout from the mountain top about the need for the lockdown to be lifted pronto, without any conditions, President Ramaphosa and the Government have to walk a very delicate tight rope. They have to worry about the effects of the lockdown on the economy, but  they must also think of the number of lives which stand to be lost were they to act too hastily.

Of necessity, theirs has to be a delicate balancing act. Even as they worry about the economy, they must also ensure that they are not reckless with the lives of South Africans, especially the poorest in our ranks. It is very easy for people sitting comfortably in their suburban homes and mansions to be impatient with the Government and to call on Pretoria to lift the lockdown overnight. After all, they have no problem with over-crowding and can isolate themselves easily, should self-quarantine be necessary at some stage, and will have ready access to some of the best health care that this country’s private sector can offer.

When one is accustomed to such comfort (which continues to be an undreamt-of luxury to the majority of our compatriots), it is easy to be selfish in one’s outlook. It is easy to care only about the daily losses suffered by the economy and everybody within it, without thinking too much about the lives which stand to be lost if COVID-19 is given space to spread like wild fire.

In a country such as ours, with its ugly past of apartheid, sensitivity is of the utmost importance. Yes, the economy has taken a hammering and steps need to be taken swiftly to open the country up for business and to stimulate the moribund economy, but that must not be seen to be done at the expense of fellow compatriots, especially those without the ability to wash and sanitise their hands on a regular basis throughout the day and to change protective masks every day. Logically, that leaves the Government in a position where it has to take calculated risks to open up the economy while also ensuring that COVID-19 is not given free reign.

As many non-partisan compatriots will agree, the Government has done phenomenally well since the advent of the CoronaVirus, notwithstanding some missteps along the way and some over-the-top actions and regulations by some excitable and gung-ho Cabinet Ministers. Over the past two months, Ramaphosa and his Government have given real leadership to the country, and for that they have to be commended. Some people may have disagreed with them on some regulations or may have been unhappy with some of their decisions and the pace at which they have moved on some issues, but there can be no gainsaying the fact that they have offered real leadership, something which has been in short supply in our country in the preceding months.

They can never take decisions that will be universally popular. Not only is it impossible to please everybody, but leadership, by its very nature, is not a popularity contest. The important thing is that they have risen to the challenge, taken important decisions which may have been unpopular in certain quarters and have been able to explain the basis on which they have done so. Long may that continue to be the case.

More importantly, in his last address to the nation, Ramaphosa also had the humility to acknowledge that there may have been some missteps along the way and to apologize for that. Personally, I can ask for no more than that. I can only wish them well as they continue to deal with a very difficult, unprecedented challenge. They can do with our support, rather than the deafening chorus from the whingers.

Ends

Kaizer M. Nyatsumba is a writer and a senior business executive in Johannesburg.

Posted on: 21 May 2020| Author: Kaizer Nyatsumba