Author: Gugu Lourie

South Africa has reported its first deaths resulting from coronavirus, says Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize. “This morning, we wake South Africans up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from COVID-19,” he said in a statement. “These two deaths occurred in the Western Cape. One at a Private Hospital and the other at a Public Hospital. “We will give more details later on, when we announce the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases, which have increased from yesterday’s number and have tipped the 1000 mark.” All the #21daysLockdownSA drama that unfolded just outside our flat around…

Seedstars, the Swiss-based private group of companies with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets, is happy to announce its Global Seedstars Summit will be held exclusively online, from March 31 to April 3rd, 2020. With a mission to create a positive impact through technology and entrepreneurship, the company has decided to digitally redesign its international Summit, to ensure the safety of its partners and community in the scope of the exceptional COVID-19 sanitation crisis. As Online Seedstars Summit, themed BEYOND, is approaching, we could not be prouder to be part of a community that is eager and…

Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says the possibility of load shedding during the 21-day nationwide lockdown is unlikely. “The supply of fuel to the relevant critical and essential services, as well as the supply of coal to Eskom for electricity supply and liquid fuels production, are critical during this period. “Supplying Eskom with coal is a requirement and with the lockdown, demand will be very low so it is unlikely that we will have load shedding,” said the Minister. Mantashe made the remarks, during a joint media briefing with the Ministries of Arts and Culture and Telecommunications, where each…

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula has stated that South Africa’s minibus taxis (as well as Uber and Bolt) and Shoholoza Meyl will be banned from the road during the lockdown. Trains will not be operating, long-distance has been shut down in terms of Shosholoza Meyl, Mbalula told 702. “This affects everybody, that includes Uber, Bolt and e-hailing systems and taxis.” On Monday, President Cyril Ramphosa announced a 21-day lockdown of the country effective from midnight on 26 March. Also read: Coronavirus: How To Make Donations To SA’s COVID-19 Solidarity Fund The South African Government has set up a Solidarity Fund, which…

Netcare, one of South Africa’s largest private hospital groups, announced on Wednesday that visiting hours at hospitals have been suspended, except in specific special circumstances, as a further precaution against the spread of COVID-19. Today, the number of local coronavirus cases have increased to 709. “In light of the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to take extraordinary measures to protect all healthcare teams and our patients who cannot be discharged,” says Dr Richard Friedland, Netcare chief executive officer. The following measures will apply: All visiting hours for general wards, ICUs and the high care units will be suspended with…

All South African restaurants, takeaways and food delivery will be closed during South Africa’s 21-day coronavirus lockdown, said Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kuyabi-Ngubane. In a letter to the restaurant industry on Tuesday, Kuyabi-Ngubane said: “In compliance with the nation-wide lockdown it should be noted that ALL restaurants, cafes, bars, coffee shops will be required to comply with the nation-wide lockdown for 21 days.” “Such service providers have NOT been included on the list of what has been deemed essential services during the lockdown and will NOT be permitted to operate and will thus need to be closed for the duration,”…

The South African Government has set up a Solidarity Fund, which South African businesses, organisations and individuals, and members of the international community, can contribute to Ameliorate the impact of the coronavirus. “The Fund will focus efforts to combat the spread of the virus, help us to track the spread, care for those who are ill and support those whose lives are disrupted,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa. “The Fund will complement what we are doing in the public sector.” This Fund will be chaired by Ms Gloria Serobe and the deputy Chairperson is Mr Adrian Enthoven. The Fund has a…

As part of a swift and extraordinary action to deal with coronavirus, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced measures to assist businesses that may be in distress and a windfall for some individual taxpayers. “Using the tax system, we will provide a tax subsidy of up to R500 per month for the next four months for those private-sector employees earning below R6,500 under the Employment Tax Incentive,” said Ramaphosa. He added that this will help over 4 million workers. The South African Revenue Service will also work towards accelerating the payment of employment tax incentive reimbursements from twice a year to monthly to…

South Africa’s online florist NetFlorist is venturing into the delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables. The service is available to potential customers around Johannesburg North and Pretoria as people stay at home due to Covid-19 pandemic. As the country’s leading national B2B Fruit and Vegetables wholesaler and distributor, Fruitspot has partnered with NetFlorist to ensure the safe and timeous delivery of fresh produce, South Africa’s online florist said on its website. “When we’re delivering produce to the recipient, we ensure that our fruits and veggies arrive as fresh and as delicious as the day they were picked. To accomplish this, low-tech, inexpensive…

Struggling mobile phone operator Cell C, which destroyed shareholder value for JSE-listed firm Blue Label Telecoms, on Monday reported a R4 billion operating loss for the six months to 31 December 2019. Strangely, Cell C CEO Douglas Craigie Stevenson believes the green shoots of the turnaround strategy, which was implemented from March 2019 onwards, are now visible. The company’s full-year operating loss came in at R3.94 billion versus R7.36 billion loss in 2018. The company attributed the improvement to operational improvements and right-sizing. The group revenue was down to R15.2 billion versus R15.7 billion in 2018. The company also lost 2.9…