“If it can happen to those first-world countries, it can happen to us. Therefore, let us not leave anything to chance, and ensure that we follow all the Covid-19 precautions. We cannot afford to be complacent.”
That was the stern warning from KwaZulu-Natal Premier Mr Sihle Zikalala, earlier this morning, as he addressed a consecration service of the very Rev Nkosinathi Msawenkosi Myaka at Umphumulo Diocesan Centre in KwaDukuza on the KZN North Coast.
Bishop Myaka has been central as part of interfaith mission in raising awareness and ensuring churches contribute in curbing the spread of the Coronavirus.
Those who joined his consecration included Cardinal Wilfred Napier, the Most Reverend MJH Ubane who presided over Rev Myaka's consecration.
Premier Zikalala’s warning comes as the United Kingdom reported a further 6,042 people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, following a number of record-breaking daily tolls.
Covid-19 first hit the UK in late January, prompting a three-month long lockdown from March.
This was followed by a subsequent decline in the number of infections.
However, the reported new surge of infections in the UK and in other countries constitutes some of the strongest scientific evidence yet, that the much-vaunted threat of a second wave is real and possible anywhere in the world – if the precautions are not followed.
Countries such as Spain and Italy have been among the hardest hit by Covid-19 and saw their health systems stretched to capacity in their first wave; and have again begun to see a resurgence of the virus in many communities.
This has also been the case for countries such as South Korea and China, who had initially controlled the spread of infection but now appear to be struggling with a second wave.
Out of South Africa’s cumulative 669 498 Covid-19 infections and 16 376 deaths, KwaZulu-Natal has had a total of 118 350 cases, of which 6740 are still active, with 108 993 recoveries.
At least 175 new cases have been registered in the province, in the past 24 hours. Sadly, the province has registered a total of 2617 deaths due to the virus.
Addressing the congregants, Premier Zikalala thanked the church community at large, saying it had been the voice of calm and reassurance during the fight against Covid-19 storm and lockdown.
“We have been waging a huge and mighty fight and the church has been with us helping to combat fear and giving us encouragement through faith.
“Our citizens are understandably gripped by fear of the unknown. We have already lost many of our compatriots, family members, friends, our nurses, doctors.
"There are still many unknowns and anxieties about the Covid-19 pandemic. We are still concerned and anxious about the second wave which we are told is likely to be much stronger than the first wave," Premier Zikalala told congregants.
Premier Zikalala said the recent call by President Cyril for South Africa to rise up and build the country was not only meant for the business community, but was also for the church, since it played an important role in leading our communities.
The Province’s first citizen also urged the church to continue to help ameliorate social ills such as poverty, crime, unemployment, inequality and gender based violence.
“These social ills manifest themselves in our communities and indicate that the fibre that holds our communities is on the brink of being torn apart," he said.
Referring to Bishop Myaka, Premier Zikalala said: “It is therefore my conviction and belief that today belongs to God. He is surely with us during this sacred moment, where the church is commissioning a Nehemiah (in the form of the Bishop) to go out and do God’s work in the reconstruction and development of our society and the rebuilding of its moral fibre.
"In you our beloved Bishop Myaka, God has given the church and our nation a faithful servant who will go into our communities and lead the efforts to rebuild the walls and gates that have been broken down.”
