Testing positive for COVID-19 is not a death sentence

By: Anelisa Sibanda

Twitter: Anelisa_Sibanda

Email address: anelisag98@gmail.com

21-year-old Thamsanqa Ndlovu recently tested positive for COVID-19 even though he took all the precautionary measures to protect himself.

“I was screened at work, which is a normal procedure that we follow lately and my temperature was very high and they suggested that I get tested, which I did," said Ndlovu.

After testing, Ndlovu says he waited for the results eagerly and they came back after 2 days saying that he was indeed positive. I was shocked and frightened and wondered how I got the virus because I made for sure to protect myself from it, added Ndlovu.

Ndlovu also added that he wore his mask in public, made sure to practice social distancing and did everything which the government said must be done. 

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“I was taken to a place of quarantine where I was told that it was just a mild one and hearing that kept me calm."

"Being kept in a quarantine facility where visitors are not allowed shuttered me as I hoped to see my family come to visit me but I was also happy because I did not want to infect them," said Ndlovu.

The period of 14 days passed and I got to retest again to see if had recovered or not and surprisingly I tested negative and that on its own was a life-changing thing. I was not out of the woods yet but at least I got to go home to be with my family, added Ndlovu.

Ndlovu also noted that no one in his family was infected after he had tested positive as they all followed precautionary measures to help curb the virus.

“People need to take the virus seriously, it exists and it’s deadly”

 

Thamsanqa Ndlovu.

As of the 18 of July COVID-19 cases were standing at 350 879 with 13 285 cases and 13 876 441 cases globally with 593 087 deaths. "We do not have a vaccine.We do not have a cure.Our ability to break the cycle of infection depends on our willingness to remain focused and disciplined and take non-pharmaceutical interventions seriously," said the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

 

South Africans remember Madiba

  By: Anelisa Sibanda

Twitter: Anelisa_Sibanda

Email: anelisag98@gmail.com

On this day, the 18th of July South Africans celebrate the life of the former President Nelson Mandela who fought tirelessly for the liberation of South Africa. People do different things to honour him and use their 67 minutes to help those in need. Lockdown has changed how people commemorate the day, some took a step to donate money to the needy rather than going to help at centres and different places.

Mandela Day is known internationally, it is the birthday of the late Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa. He is celebrated because of the good things he did during the apartheid era and also for fighting for the people’s rights.

Zuzeni Mncube (21) said the day is important to South Africans but feels like it is being over celebrated. “It is time to celebrate other comrades who also fought for the struggle, Madiba was not the only one who fought so why not celebrate other fighters as much as we celebrate him?" , added Mncube.

Luvuyo Sibeko (28) said Mandela Day has to be celebrated however it is not mandatory to do so. “People have to do good for other people daily not only on Mandela Day, but this also has to be done to show humility," added Sibeko.

Kgomotso Phoko and Siphumelele Ndelu also shared their views about this day, link below.

 https://soundcloud.com/anelisag98/kgomotsophoko

https://soundcloud.com/anelisag98/siphumelelendelu

Katleho Ngobese (25) said that he celebrated his day by helping the needy. “Every year on this day I volunteer at different organizations and give help where I can be it cleaning or feeding the less fortunate, "noted Ngobese.

Ngobese also noted that people should not only see this day as celebrating Mandela but as a day to bring change to someone's life.

SADTU calls Motshekga to close schools

By: Anelisa Sibanda

Twitter: Anelisa_Sibanda

Email address: anelisag98@gmail.com

Minister of Basic Department of Education Angie Motshekga, ordered that schools may be open to save the academic year. Different grades have been gradually returning to school amid the pandemic after government closed schools in March.

Minister of Basic Education- Angie Motsheka

However, the South African Democratic Teachers Union well known as SADTU has ordered the Minister to reconsider this and close schools until the peak season of the virus is over. Their concerned was that there has been a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and that puts both the learners and teachers at risk. 

 

"The union is that the closure is extremely urgent in order to avoid to further losses of lives in our communities and to fix the education system," said SADTU.

Most parents have been skeptical about sending their kids back to school as they fear for their children’s lives.

School practice safety measures before learners enter the premises

Sanele Mchunu (38), a mother of two said that she would rather have her children repeat the same grades next year rather than losing them to the deadly virus. “My kids should stay at home, sending them to school right now will only put them at risk, a grade can be repeated but I cannot get my children back once I lose them to the virus”, added Mchunu.

taken from google

Michael Sikhosana (18), a grade 12 learner at Phoenix High School said as much as he wants to complete his matric this year he does not mind completing it next year rather than risking being infected. “Had I had a choice I was not going to go to school, however, I do not hence I am going to school. 

We do take all the precautionary measures but you may never know who has the virus and who does not as there is no testing done at school," added Sikhosana.