COMMENT The world is going through unprecedented challenges caused by a novel, rapidly transmitted coronavirus. Experts predict difficult times ahead with shrinking economies, loss of life and livelihoods and some structural changes — a new normal. Change is afoot in Africa as governments work tirelessly to identify their most vulnerable citizens for emergency disbursements. Banks, […]
The continent’s interconnectedness is what will be its catalyst for recovery
Guinea’s response to the coronavirus has exacerbated the country’s existing fault lines
Policymakers must make contraceptives and abortion easier to to access to give women power over their health
Despite containing Covid-19, it will be some time before normal life resumes — and some measures will be written into the law
Blanket measures such as lockdowns contribute to the needs and realities of people at the margins of society being overlooked
Covid-19 exposes the continued inability of white South Africa to critically reflect on their positionality or engage in meaningful, self-reflective, and constructive debate
Today, the whole world stands where Europe was in 1945. Europe recovered then thanks to massive international assistance. That same attitude of cooperation and solidarity is needed now more than ever
Lockdown easing will happen and so will the increase in positive cases. This balancing act will require rapid returns to stringent measures to protect thousands of lives
When Ebola first hit Lagos, Dr Ameyo Adadevoh knew something was seriously wrong, so she did something about it
Despite Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina’s claims of a cure for Covid-19, experts say ‘there is absolutely no evidence’ that is true
Children are less likely to contract the coronavirus than adults, but the way in which the pandemic affects them goes beyond ill health
Because wearing face masks will become the new normal, Proudly South African has also launched a dedicated online portal on its website to allow people to purchase these items from local vendors
Africa’s new disease control agency reacted early and quickly to the Covid-19 pandemic
So far, most countries on the African continent are dealing with Covid-19, but not all leaders are taking the coronavirus pandemic seriously
His rhetoric about immigration, the dilution of culture and threats to American’s jobs feeds into Republicans’ fears and he’ll use this in his election campaign
The World Health Organisation said people could die of preventable illnesses if steps to control malaria as well as immunisation for measles, yellow fever and polio are interrupted
The World Health Organisation continues to praise South Africa’s public-health response to the pandemic. That praise, however, will be long forgotten if we are not able to meet all our other challenges with the same alacrity
Civil-military relations across the continent are tenuous, at best. Covid-19 may have given African governments an opportunity to create a new social compact with their citizens
Racist and derogatory videos are causing incalculable damage to China’s image in Africa, but this is unlikely to change the relationship
As information about the coronavirus emerged, the Chinese government and Chinese society began to organise an immense campaign against its spread
The disease has shown that there is more that unites us as human beings than that which divides us through artificial borders
The key to containing ‘kokoro korona’ is to speak to people in their own languages
Why should we applaud those giving away a fraction of their fortune; the same people who have a hand in creating such inequities?
The fallouts from unethical experiments include distrust of public health officials and poor participation in research studies by members of vulnerable populations. People involved in vaccine trials must be recognised as partners, rather than pawns
The government’s response to Covid-19 has been criticised by opposition leaders
Despite the long history of medical racism, any potential Covid-19 vaccines must be tested in Africa — but not only on the continent
As Covid-19 upends life, it has taught us critical lessons and offers an opening to confront other crises. Political will is required, of course
By violating basic human rights, governments risk inflicting a double tragedy on their most vulnerable populations
There is still a great deal that’s not known about SARS-CoV-2. This limited scientific information has contributed to a slew of myths and misconceptions. Some claims being made are harmless. Others can be potentially dangerous
While Sierra Leone was grappling with Ebola, there was a spike in deaths from another disease – malaria. We need to make sure this does not happen again
It is difficult for residents of informal settlements to follow guidelines to prevent Covid-19 transmission, such as hand-washing, in the absence of access to water. It is governments’ responsibility to provide these basic services