COVID-19: Reflecting on a year of lockdown in SA

On this day last year, South Africa was on the brink of a strict lockdown in a bid to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Mosa Moshabela, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health at the Academy of Science of South Africa, reflected on the challenges and successes of the past year in an interview with CNBC Africa. Looking back, Professor Moshabela noted the swift response of South Africa to the first wave of the pandemic, implementing stringent restrictions early on. While these measures may have seemed harsh at the time, they were deemed necessary in the absence of familiarity with the virus. However, as the country faced the second wave, it became evident that a delicate balance had to be struck between health concerns and social needs. Professor Moshabela emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes, particularly the timing of implementing restrictions to prevent further mortality and societal hardship. As South Africa navigates the possibility of a third wave and a potential stricter lockdown, lessons from previous waves will inform the government's response. The focus will be on timely and targeted restrictions to contain the spread of the virus while minimizing disruptions to society. With a delayed vaccine rollout, another lockdown may be inevitable, but it is seen as a necessary measure to prevent a resurgence of cases. Professor Moshabela stressed the need for clear communication of interventions to avoid conflicting messages and ensure the effective implementation of prepared facilities. Overall, the past year has been a learning curve for South Africa in balancing public health measures with the broader social and economic needs of the population.