LET'S GET THE JAB, SOUTH AFRICA! - Real News. Scrolla.Africa

Tuesday 2nd January
                                         2021, 0145

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

LET’S GET THE JAB, SOUTH AFRICA!
                South Africans, the vaccine is here. Let’s get the
                jab!
              President Cyril Ramaphosa was at the airport to
welcome the first shipment of vaccines which he described as a
“major milestone.” The first batch is planned to benefit
healthcare workers.
Although there are people who are reluctant to get vaccinated,
many South Africans cannot wait to get a chance to get the
immunity they need against this invisible enemy.
Lindiwe Mahlangu from Johannesburg inner city said it is a
great relief just to hear that the vaccine landed in our country.
“People who have lost their relatives would have loved this
opportunity to get their loved ones vaccinated.”
She said it breaks her heart to see people talking about not
getting the vaccines, with unproven theories that the vaccine
could be dangerous to them. “Surely, such people have not lost
anyone close to them due to Covid-19. This virus is deadly. We
need all the immunity we can get. At least our government has
been working hard to secure the vaccine,” said Lindiwe.

One of the skeptics is Vincent Ndima from Alexandra in
Johannesburg who said he is doubtful that he will take the
vaccine. “We are only told and encouraged to take the vaccine
without knowing much about its side effects.
“I have so many questions that the government must address
to ordinary citizens on how it will all work,” said Vincent.
Vincent’s words of doubt are countered by an energetic song
and dance by the internationally-renowned Ndlovu Youth Choir
with a Jaba jaba hit. The song encourages South Africans to get
vaccinated in order to beat the virus.
Nandos too has posted an advertisement that criticises
conspiracy theories about vaccines.
“The government isn’t trying to put chips in you. But we are,”
read the poster advert.
Scrolla.Africa spoke to Dr Angelique Coetzee who is involved in
getting the private practitioners vaccinated in collaboration
with the South African National Department of Health and and
provinces on behalf of the South African Medical Association
(SAMA).
“First the vaccinators need to be vaccinated then we need to
wait for their immune systems to kick in, then they will start to
vaccinate the Healthcare workers,” said Dr Coetzee.
Ramaphosa added on Monday night: “It is up to us to get
vaccinated as soon as we are eligible and to stop the virus from
spreading further.”

Video source: @ChoirAfrica

SA needs to vaccinate quickly
Arthur Greene

As the latest phase in South Africa’s fight against
Covid-19 commenced on Monday, scientists have
warned that this is not the time to relax, and
underscored the need to vaccinate vast numbers
of people as quickly as possible.
This is because recent data shows that two vaccines, Novavax
and Johnson & Johnson (J&J), are less effective against the
South African strain of the virus than they are against the other
variants.
Novavax reported on Thursday that its vaccine was 50%
effective overall at preventing Covid-19 among people in South
Africa, while in the UK this figure stands at 89.3%.
Meanwhile, J&J announced on Friday that vaccine efficacy
reached 72% in the U.S., compared with just 57% in South
Africa.
Additionally, it was reported last week that the Moderna
vaccine is up to six times less effective at combating the South
African strain of the virus than it is against the U.K variant.

However, experts have argued that this only underlines a
greater need for vaccinations, and that they still have great
value in their ability to reduce severe Covid-19.
"The end game is to stop death, to stop hospitals from going
into crisis - and all of these vaccines, even including against the
South African variant, seem to do that substantially," said Dr.
Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins
Center for Health Security.
However, some vaccines may need to be altered in order to
deal with emergent strains.
Vaccine producer Pfizer announced this week that it is
considering whether to change its vaccine in order to defend
against the South African variant.
Companies such as Pfizer may have to work quicker than
expected as the South African strain has been detected this
week in multiple locations in both the U.S and the U.K..
The U.K. announced on Monday that it would begin door-to-
door testing in order to locate and stamp out the variant, as
fear grows that it is gaining pace as it spreads across the globe.
On Monday night Ramaphosa announced that the status of
South Africa’s vaccine orders:

• In addition to the 1 million Covishield doses that we received
today; we expect another 500,000 doses from the Serum
Institute of India to arrive later in February.

• We have secured 12 million doses in total from the global
COVAX facility, which has indicated that it will release
approximately 2 million doses by March.

• We have secured 9 million vaccine doses from J & J,
commencing with delivery in the second quarter. J & J has
contracted Aspen, one of our pharmaceutical companies, to
manufacture these vaccines in SA.

• In addition, Pfizer has committed 20 million vaccine doses
commencing with deliveries in the second quarter.

Picture source: GCIS/Elmond Jiyane

Ramaphosa opens the taps

South Africa will likely experience a countrywide hangover on
Wednesday morning after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted the
booze ban on Monday night.
Restaurants will be able to serve alcohol, the curfew has been
reduced (from 11pm to 4am), and beaches and public spaces
are open again, Ramaphosa said on Monday night during his
latest “family meeting”.
He also said that bottle stores will be able to sell alcohol on
Mondays to Thursdays, from 10am to 6pm.
“These changes have been made possible by the significant
reduction in Covid-19 hospital admissions across all provinces,
reducing the pressure on beds and hospital personnel,” he said.
He urged everyone to continue to wash their hands, practise
social distancing and behave responsibly.
Cabinet had decided to ease Adjusted Level 3 restrictions
because of a “clear decline” in new infections, hospital
admissions and deaths, he added.

The restrictions in full are:

• The hours of the curfew will now be from 11pm to 4am.
  “Establishments will need to close by 10pm to allow their
  customers and staff to return home by curfew,”
  Rampahose said.

• Faith-based gatherings will be permitted, but may not
  exceed 50 people for indoor venues and 100 people for
  outdoor venues. Smaller venues can an y half 50% of their
  capacity.

• Public places such as beaches, dams, rivers, parks and
  public swimming pools will be reopened subject to health
  protocols.

• Off-site alcohol sales by licensed premises are permitted
  from Mondays to Thursdays, from 10am to 6pm.

• Restaurants and taverns can sell alcohol throughout the
  week from 10am to 10pm.

But Ramaphosa asked the country to “drink responsibly so that
we do not experience a spike in trauma cases or an increase in
infections due to reckless behaviour”

LOVED AND LOST: LUKE MASAMVU
(1958-2021)

A loyal lover and a father to many
Joseph Chirume

Luke Masamvu was not only a Member of Parliament in
Zimbabwe and a wealthy businessman - he also spent a lot of
his productive time between the sheets.
According to the Sunday Mail, Masamvu sired 79 children with
12 wives.
Masamvu had thriving businesses in his province and the town
of Marondera.
The maverick politician who was the former MP for Mutasa
North in Manicaland Province reportedly used his wealth to
bed the most beautiful women in his constituency.

John Nyakudya, a resident of Marondera who works in Port
Elizabeth, said Masamvu had an insatiable desire for women.
Nyakudya said, “He would open a business for every woman he
loved. He did not dump his lovers. This is why women loved
him so much. He has left wealth and a better future for them
and his children.”
Social media platforms have been in overdrive with people
commenting on Masamvu’s life.
Miss Dini @AusiDini tweeted, “Yhuu! He had a wife for every
month.”
Madeleine Fullard said: “I had to use a calculator to work out
that he averaged 6,58 children. Do you think he knew the
names of all his children?”
Kagiso M said: “He is the father of the entire town.”
Polygamous relationships are not outlawed in Zimbabwe.
Poverty and unemployment have led to an increase of such
unions as desperate women fall for such relationships as an
escape route from poverty.
On Saturday Masamvu joined a growing list of top Zimbabwean
politicians who have succumbed to Covid-19 complications -
but that is not what he will be remembered for.
He was buried at Rusape where he originally came from.

Picture source: @AfricanCurators

Promoting traditional food
Joseph Chirume

                 Unemployed Ulundi Mpulu could look at his
                 mother to support him or he could rely on hard
                 work and initiative.
So, the 22-year-old from Motherwell, Port Elizabeth built a
business that he runs from his family home. He calls his
establishment the House of Pallets.
At first Ulundi, or The Pallet Doctor as people call him, collected
discarded wooden pallets that he crafted into benches,
boundary walls, wooden bags and African traditional art. But
then he turned it into a restaurant that offers African cuisine.
Ulundi was later joined by his mother, Nomfundo and some of
his siblings. The busy restaurant serves various isiXhosa
traditional dishes.
“I have come to realise that the best way to succeed in life is to
work hard,” he said.
“We are a family of ten siblings. Our mother depends on social
grants to sustain the entire family.”
He said he would also want to develop the art gallery and make
it one of the best township galleries in the country, using the
skills he learnt from his grandfather.

Ulundi said he receives visitors from as far away as Colchester,
Uitenhage, and Humansdorp.
“These are people with a keen interest in knowing what
Motherwell looks like. I promote township tourism by offering
them the artworks and showing them that traditional food is
the best,” he said.
He encourages his patrons to comply with the Covid-19
regulations.
Thamsaqa Jantjies from Addo often brings his wife and two
children to eat traditional samp at the House of Pallets.
“I hope the House of Pallets will one day be converted into a
tourist centre. The place offers quality food and their service is
the best,” said Thamsaqa.

Spreading the love one pad at a time
Everson Luhanga

Dipuo Chauke from Alexandra was shocked to
discover the number of women and girls who
were in need of sanitary pads but couldn’t afford
them.
She started a drive to distribute pads after the lockdown
started in March 2020.

“Since then, I have taken it upon myself to collect pads every
three months to give to anyone in need in my community.”
The prolonged closure of schools due to Covid-19 has put
tremendous pressure on many young girls from poor
communities who depend on getting sanitary pads at school.
"With the closure of schools, there has been a big demand for
the pads for the girls who cannot afford to buy pads for
themselves,” said Dipuo.
Dipuo said while the focus is on giving pads to women, she also
gives to men, knowing that they live with their kids, girlfriends
and wives.
“Men are also affected by the lockdown. They have lost jobs,
businesses, sources of income.
Most men hustle to provide for their families. The money they
get is directed to buying food and not towards buying pads,”
she said.
Dipuo doesn’t only help the community of Alexandra with
sanitary pads. Besides the drive for pads which she does every
three months, she also feeds addicts and vulnerable children.
“This year our first drive starts on Valentine's Day. Our theme
is, spread some love.
“I am asking for any amount of pads that you can donate to our
drive,” said Dipuo.
Those willing to help can contact Dipuo on: 071 318 7044

Intaba Yase Dubai
Sizwe Sibiya

               One thing most South Africans are going to
               remember about the year 2020 besides Covid-19
               is the chorus of Big Zulu’s song ‘Imali Eningi’
               which was sung by KZN’s very own Intaba Yase
Dubai.
For many it was their first introduction to Intaba Yase Dubai
through the hit song which also featured award winning hip
hop star Riky Rick.
His contribution to the song helped rake more than one million
views on YouTube in just one week and since 23 November
2020 the music video for Imali Eningi is now sitting at over 6,8
million views.
Meanwhile Intaba Yase Dubai whose name translates to ‘cash
from Dubai’ in Zulu Slang – is also gaining views on his music
videos posted on YouTube after his new-found success from
the collaboration.
His songs ‘Uzobuya’ and ‘Nabanye’ both released last year are
doing well on the google platform even though he is still an
upcoming artist.

His style of incorporating Maskandi sounds into the new age
hip hop with vernacular vocals can turn every song into an
anthem.
He proved this before getting on Big Zulu’s anthem when he
sang on Maskandi artist Imfezi Emnyama’s ‘Maboneng’ – which
also featured Big Zulu. Intaba Yase Dubai delivered what is
generally regarded as the most powerful verse in the song.

Picture source: @SciTheComedist

Great weather for
Pandas
A massive storm that dumped more than a foot of snow on
Washington slowed the city down and brought traffic to a
standstill - but it was great news for kids and giant panda bears.
The Washington Zoo has two of the rare animals, named Mei
Xiang and Tian Tian, that were a gift from China to the United
States back in the day when the two countries were much
better friends.
The mountains of China where they come from get very cold in
winter so they know what to do when it snows: slip, slide and
frolic.

We wish some of the politicians in Washington could follow
their example and enjoy themselves a little more, too. We
would have fewer insurrections and less gridlock.

Video source: @NationalZoo

South vs North: rugby’s Rainbow Cup
kicks off
Lucky Mdluli

               The announcement around Christmas seemed a
               little up in the air, but flying up and down to
               Britain and Ireland will soon be a reality for South
               African rugby teams.
The Stormers, Sharks, Lions and Bulls will play in what is being
called The Rainbow Cup. While the series could easily have
been called the Top16, the new name seems to be a nod to the
four South African franchises.
The first match is as soon as 17 April and the final match is on
19 June, only a few weeks before the British and Irish Lions land
on South African shores.
Some insiders are even saying that the Free State Cheetahs and
the EP Kings played in the Top 14 as an experiment to test the

viability of the concept. While the Cheetahs did remarkably well
and the brave EP Kings got decimated, it certainly proved that
flying from South to North and back again was infinitely less
painful than the East-West commute to New Zealand, Australia
and Argentina.
Add to that the reality that New Zealand have expressed, first
under the table, then openly, that South Africa was no longer in
its future plans, specifically regarding Super Rugby. A decade or
two ago, a split in the brotherhood of the All Blacks and the
Springboks seemed impossible, but now, in hindsight, it seems
to have been inevitable. The Rugby Championships is still
lurking in the shadows but it seems doomed, if not
immediately, then soon.
During the Rugby World Cup, Rassie Erasmus proved himself a
great strategic thinker who was always looking ahead. Now
rumours abound that Rassie is promoting The Rainbow Cup as a
stepping stone for a place in the Six Nations tournament for the
Springboks – a worthwhile replacement for the Rugby
Championship.

Picture source: Dragonrugby

Battle of the bottom feeders
Menzi Magubane

Sheffield United and West Brom are in all
sorts of trouble and their coaches know it.
Threatened with relegation in the English
Premier League, neither of them can afford to drop any more
points after winning just two games each after 21 matches.
To avoid the chop at the end of the season they need to collect
points in each and every match.
Today they play each other in the battle for the bottom of the
log with West Brom second from bottom on 12 points and
Sheffield have managed to collect eight.
Sheffield coach Chris Wilder said they need to make life
uncomfortable for the team who are ahead of them.
"Things are not looking good for us but it is encouraging to see
the fighting spirit of my players,” said Wilder who lost 1-0 to log
leaders Manchester City over the weekend.
“We have to get points from the teams ahead of us."
West Brom are going to this match after earning a precious
point against Fulham who are also fighting relegation.

"It came after a spirited, honest fightback from the players to
get themselves back in the game. We had to play simple and
quality football," said Baggies' coach Sam Allardyce.
The match on Tuesday will be at Bramall Lane at 8pm.

Other EPL fixtures on Tuesday
Wolves vs Arsenal (Molineux Stadium, 8pm), Manchester
United vs Southampton (Old Trafford, 10.15pm), Newcastle
United vs Crystal Palace (St. James Park, 10.15pm).

Picture source: @squawka