I hardly believe it when I saw the news headlines last week. They reported that it’s been five years since the country went into hard lockdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe I was not exactly in disbelief. Instead, it is a time I’d prefer to forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all sat glued to our TV screens on 23 March 2020. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the country would go into a 21-day lockdown. This lockdown was set to start on 27 March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the time, South Africa’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was reported at more than 400.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The unprecedented step imposed strict regulations and restrictions on the country for the first time since the dawn of democracy.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No-one was allowed to leave their homes. This rule did not apply to essential workers. They leave only under strictly controlled measures to acquire essential products and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Defence Force and the police were deployed to help with implementing lockdown measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sounds like a warzone, right? Yet that was our reality. And if we’re honest, COVID-19 was a battle. A battle that claimed so many of our loved ones.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A memory forever ingrained in my mind is of me driving alone on the N1 highway from Bellville. As journalists, we were frontline workers, so I was on my way to cover a story.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember how nervous and anxious I felt each time I left home. Fearing I will contract the virus and infect my family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking back now, I can say it is only by the grace of God that we are still here today. So many people did not make it.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite this being a gut-wrenching time there are certain aspects I’d like to see return. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Safety and security in this period were at their peak.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crime saw a significant drop. Crime figures were released in the first quarter of 2020. From 1 April to 30 June, murders fell by 35%. Assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm dropped by 41%. Robbery with aggravating circumstances declined by 39%. The police minister at the time called it a “crime holiday”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramaphosa’s national state of disaster declaration led to an increased presence of the police. Members of the National Defence Force were also noticed around every corner. They were policing and ensuring people abided by lockdown regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast advance to today. How many more women and children must still be brutally killed? When will the same extreme safety measures be implemented? How many more innocent people must senselessly lose their lives while gangsters run amok in communities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the moment we are still at war, though not against a virus, but one equally potent. Yet this time it seems the powers are simply leaving us to fend for ourselves. Criminals are now putting some communities under lockdown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh, how we now long for that “crime holiday”.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The year 2020 was one of significant loss and turmoil. Nonetheless, it also taught us valuable lessons. We learned the importance of family, time, and an appreciation for what one has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We saw how as a nation we can pull together and step up. I remember the various feeding schemes and organizations born during lockdown. These are the beautiful memories I cling to and prefer to remember of five years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I hardly believe it when I saw the news headlines last week. They reported that it’s been five years since the country went into hard lockdown. 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