Statement by the Premier of Kwazulu-Natal, Hon Mr S. Zikalala, on the occasion of a media briefing to provide an update on Covid – 19 and other matters, at eThekwini Disaster Centre, 25 October 2020
KZN MEC for Health, Hon. Ms Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu,
KZN MEC for Education, Hon. Mr Kwazi Mshengu,
Government Officials Present,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Introduction and welcome
We once again extend a warm welcome to you, members of the media, to this briefing, which is an extremely important link between us and the people of this beautiful province, whenever we need to deliberate on matters of importance. We therefore express our appreciation to you for honouring our invitation.
Recent spate of road fatalities
I wish to start by expressing our serious concern over the recent spate of horrific and fatal road crashes in our province. Yesterday, we learned of yet another fatal collision, which claimed the lives of five people, on the R61 road between Ramsgate and Southbroom, on the south coast of the province.
This come just days after we witnessed yet another serious road crash on Wednesday, between a minibus taxi and a truck, on the R66 highway between Ulundi and Melmoth, which claimed the lives of 16 people, on Wednesday.
During this crash, the minibus taxi caught alight, and three victims from the minibus taxi were burnt beyond recognition. DNA testing will have to be conducted to authenticate the remains of the deceased.
This particular crash was preceded barely two weeks by another fatal collision, which also claimed the lives of 13 family members, in Kilmon village, near Bulwer.
We are of the view that one life lost on the road is one too many. That is why we are once again calling on all motorists to desist from behaving irresponsibly and recklessly on the roads. We have to remind motorists that when they venture out into the roads, they are not only driving their own vehicle, but also the ones in front of them, behind them, and on the sides. They have to exercise caution, and obey and respect the rules of the road at all times. We all have a responsibility to refrain from speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, overloading, and failing to keep our vehicles road worthy.
Respecting the deceased
We have observed another disturbing feature of road crash scenes in recent times, whereby the capturing and dissemination of audio-visual footage depicting severely injured or deceased people has become commonplace. This is being done with absolutely no regard for people’s human dignity and right to privacy. We wish to caution against this practice, as it is extremely distasteful and inhumane.
It infringes upon people’s Constitutional rights, but also adds to the trauma among relatives of the deceased, who sometimes learn about the passing on of their loved ones by identifying them on social media.
Before distributing such material, we should all pause and ask ourselves how we would feel if we saw videos or images of our loved ones severely injured or in a state of helplessness being circulated like that. Let us not seek social media fame, or to be on the “trending” list by being disrespectful to others. Rather, let us practice Ubuntu and respect people’s dignity at all times.
Murder of environmental activist at Somkhele
We are also deeply concerned by the murder of 65 year-old environmental activist Fikile Ntshangase, who was shot at her home, at Ophondweni, near Mtubatuba, on Thursday. Ms Ntshangase’s is well known as a principled environmental activists. We are concerned about the manner in which her life was taken away.
We send condolences to the family and relatives. We have instructed the MEC for Community Safety, Mr Bheki Ntuli, to appoint investigators who will leave no stone unturned in probing this murder.
If, indeed, this was a planned hit, those who are responsible must be caught so that they can reveal their motive for this evil act, as well as who sent them, so that all the parties involved must face the music. We cannot allow ourselves to de-generate into a lawless society, where anarchy reigns, and differences of opinion are settled through the barrel of the gun.
President’s economic recovery plan
Ladies and Gentlemen, we want to place it on record that we fully support and endorse South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, as unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa recently. Having engaged with the plan, we are firmly of the view that it is the right tonic to shore up our efforts to rebuild the economy, post Covid - 19.
The objectives of the plan are clear:
- To create jobs, primarily through aggressive infrastructure investment and mass employment programmes;
- To re-industrialise our economy, focusing on growing small businesses;
- To accelerate economic reforms to unlock investment and growth;
- To fight crime and corruption; and,
- To improve the capability of the state.
As the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, we will also be unveiling our own economic recovery and transformation plan, which is tailor-made to address the situation at a Provincial level.
Wishing the Minister of Health and his wife a speedy recovery
Before we given the latest trends and analysis of the Covid-19 situation in KZN. We wish to welcome the news that our Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize and his wife, Dr May Mkhize, are recovering well after they tested positive for COVID – 19 recently. We are extremely pleased that the Minister’s condition and that of his wife is improving each day, and that his initial symptoms are no longer there.
We are also comforted by the fact that his wife has been discharged from hospital, and joined him in self-isolation at home.
We thank all South Africans who rallied around the Minister and his wife and prayed for them at a time when they needed our collective support and divine intervention. We convey our wishes for their speedy recovery once more.
COVID trends analysis
There are strong indications that COVID – 19 is still alive and well. The number of confirmed positive cases in the past 2 weeks has increased by 1720 cases, which brings the Province to 122 138 total confirmed COVID – 19 cases. The overall provincial percentage change for the past two weeks was an increase of 28%. This is proportional with an increase in the number of positive tests from week 41-42.
However, the increase in the number of positive cases in the past 14 days occurred in nine districts, with just two observing a decline. These were uMkhanyakude and Zululand. Meanwhile, Harry Gwala District had the highest increase in the number of new cases provincially within the same period.
COVID – 19 fatalities
We are worried that the number of deaths has increased by 186 in the past two weeks, which brings the Province to 3 192 total COVID – 19 deaths. The number of deaths (by date of death) has been declining with decrease in number of confirmed cases. However, due to delayed reporting of death in some instances, and the data cleaning done by districts and facilities, more deaths that occurred earlier in the pandemic are currently being reported.
Condemning reckless behaviour
We are, nevertheless, deeply bothered by the largely care-free attitude that has been displayed by some citizens of this Province, particularly since our downgrading to Lockdown Alert Level 1. Despite our warnings about tangible examples of a second wave of infections and deaths, it seems that many people have thrown all caution to the wind and gone back to their old ways. Gone are the masks, and sanitizing of hands, as well as adhering to social distancing. In many instances, if you didn’t know, you’d swear there was no COVID – 19 lurking; let alone the fact we are still under a National Lockdown.
Looking at the statistics around us, we can now safely say that we are definitely going back into a hard lockdown – IF there is no urgent and drastic change in behaviour.
Let me make this clear: a second wave of COVID – 19 will be stronger and deadlier, not only in terms of taking human lives, it could deal our economy a major blow. It is something that all right-thinking citizens should be doing everything possible to avoid.
In this regard, we call upon the business community – particularly those who are in the food and hospitality sector and elsewhere – to ensure that there is strict adherence to Alert Level 1 Lockdown regulations. There is no use in chasing profits today, only to be shut down by a hard lockdown tomorrow.
Warning to errant liquor traders
In the same breath, we want to warn liquor outlets who do not abide by the National Lockdown regulations that we’re coming for them. Alcohol is usually a major contributing factor to road crashes, and other social ills such as Gender-Based Violence, and inter-personal conflicts, which often turn fatal. Reckless trading in alcohol therefore has the potential to derail all the progress that we have made in preparing our healthcare systems for a potential onslaught of COVID – 19.
Therefore, failure to adhere to the restrictions is an affront to the state, and undermine the progress we have made. In fact, we want to warn those posting pictures of themselves without wearing masks in liquor outlets will face the music, together with owners of these establishments.
State of readiness for the 2020 national public matric examinations
We are a few days before the start of the national public matric examinations. This is a year in which our education system and capacity was extremely tested due to COVID-19. It is a year in which the Department of Education has had to dig deep into its well of creativity to salvage the 2020 academic year.
We want to take this opportunity and thank all learners, educators, support staff, and officials for being courageous, standing firm and remaining focused in carrying out their duties, even despite the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that was brought about by COVID – 19.
We also wish to send our condolences to the families of all education stakeholders who succumbed to COVID – 19. May the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace.
In 2020, the Department of Education will be writing a “Three-in-One” Examination. The examinations which were not written in May/June 2020 will be written in November/ December 2020. The Department has worked very hard to prepare the class of 2020, both academically and administratively.
Academic readiness
To ensure academic readiness under these very testing conditions, the Department of Education under MEC Mshengu introduced intervention programmes in order to prepare learners for the 2020 examinations and salvage the academic year. These included orientation sessions, “Just-in-Time Workshop” teacher capacitation programme, and extra tuition for curriculum coverage and revision.
More hours were added by educators and learners to cover the curriculum and revise the years’ work, and for this we are extremely grateful for the sacrifice and commitment displayed by all stakeholders as we navigate the most tying times and unchartered waters.
The Department also extended access to digital platforms, radio, and television lessons to more learners. The platforms used included the KZN Funda Portal, as well as the GAMMA gadgets pilot programme, with cutting edge education solutions, in two districts which are predominantly rural in nature – that is, UThukela and Umzinyathi districts.
The Department of Education is also working with VODACOM to ensure easy access to online lessons without paying for it.
Another key intervention was the “Hey Maths” programme, which conducted online training for schools via Zoom video conferencing. The “Woza Matric” Program has also been providing good support in Mathematics, Sciences and other gateway subjects.
District support visits
We also conducted district support visits which helped a great deal to inform the system of what is actually obtaining on the ground, and lessons that can be learnt from these. These visits assisted districts and schools on matters of curriculum coverage, revision programmes and other special kinds of interventions.
Administrative readiness
The province is ready to administer the 2020 public examinations. The examination will commence on 5 November 2020 and conclude on 15 December 2020. There are 1678 full time examination centers and 72 private examination centres.
Registration of candidates
The province has registered 145 878 full time National Senior Certificate candidates, 22011 part time candidates, 35105 supplementary examination candidates, 18072 Multiple Examination Opportunity (MEO) candidates, and 15667 progressed learners.
Concessions
The province has 768 candidates who have been granted concessions during the administration of the 2020 public examinations. There are also 878 candidates who have been granted the immigrant status for writing the National Senior Certificate examination and Amended Senior Certificate Examination.
Monitoring and invigilation of the examination
The training of Monitors and Invigilators has been completed. The Education Portfolio Committee and Teacher unions will join the monitoring teams. External Monitors will be deployed by Umalusi and the Department of Basic Education. Monitors and Invigilators will visit examination centres to ensure that the 2020 public examinations are credible and have integrity.
Examination skills
All learners in KwaZulu-Natal have been provided with a booklet that guides them on examination skills.
Selection of the marking personnel
The selection of Markers was completed on 31 August 2020 at Durban Teachers’ Centre. The Department of Education appointed 8219 Markers, 1734 Senior Markers, 248 Deputy Chief Markers, 85 Chief Markers and 85 Internal Moderators. Markers have been appointed for marking and moderation. The province will use 30 marking centres in 2020 and all will operate under strict COVID-19 prevention rules and regulations.
We look forward to a smooth examination season and we wish all the learners, educators, stakeholders all the best. We have no doubt that once again the class of 2020 will fly the flag of our province very high. We are exceptional doers who defy the odds!
Renaming of health facilities
We welcome the adoption this week of proposals to name Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg after Harry Gwala; and Turton Community Health Centre after Cllr Mfundo Arnold Lushaba. This effectively paves the way for a process to immortalise the precious memory and legacy of these two Struggle stalwarts.
These developments are an important step in our ongoing quest to preserve and celebrate the profoundly meaningful sacrifices of our leaders against the brutal Apartheid system in their quest for the freedom that we enjoy today.
Conclusion
In closing, I wish to remind all citizens to adhere to the COVID – 19 safety protocols by wearing a face mask when venturing out in public; washing our hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitiser; and maintaining social distancing of at least 1,5 metres between ourselves and other people.
Thank you.
