Author: Staff Writer

As of today, 12 April 2020, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 2 173, with no reported increase in deaths. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said this is an increase of 145 cases from the previously reported cases on Saturday. The number of deaths still stand at 25. He said the total number of tests conducted to date is 80 085. “We are also seeing an increase in test conducted at public laboratories. Of the 5 032 tests conducted in the past day, 3 192 were done in public laboratories,” Mkhize said. The provincial breakdown…

African Union Chairperson President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Donald Kaberuka, Tidjane Thiam and Trevor Manuel as the African Union’s COVID-19 Special Envoys. The newly appointed envoys are tasked with mobilising international support for Africa’s efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Special Envoys will be tasked with soliciting rapid and concrete support as pledged by the G20, the European Union and other international financial institutions. “In the light of the devastating socio-economic and political impact of the pandemic on African countries these institutions need to…

Vodacom will donate 20 000 smartphones plus 100 terabytes of data and 10 million voice calls minutes to the National Department of Health. The donation is worth R40 million. This will be used by frontline health workers to collect and transmit data in real-time for resource planning purposes as the government accelerates its COVID-19 testing campaign. The donation Vodacom will also assist the Government by ensuring that medical care resources are efficiently and effectively distributed to help those who are infected or require critical medical assistance. Each of the 20 000 smartphones will be loaded with 5GB of data and…

Inspired by the role that ecommerce and online food delivery companies have played around the world supporting people during the COVID-19 crisis, Mr D Food announced on Thursday a partnership with Kauai. Kuai is launching Kauai Real Food Market, selling a range of make-at-home smoothie mixes, frozen meals, protein powders and healthy snacks on the Mr D Food app. Customers will also be able to get Kauai’s sugar-free sparkling sodas and a selection of their healthy real-food ingredients like their famous wraps, Schoon artisanal bread, sugar-free nut butters and 100% local real honey delivered in a safe, contactless way. Through…

South Africa can flatten the curve, without extending the nationwide lockdown, the World Health Organization (WHO) told ENCA. Spokesperson, Dr Margaret Harris, says people must, however, maintain social distancing, keep hands clean and identify cases quickly. “Africa has an advantage and understands the importance of surveillance. While the rest of the world was taken by surprise, My feeling is Africa is better placed in many ways”. “It is still relatively early, There is still time to flatten to curve”. Watch the interview below: The number of coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, infections rose to 1,845 in South Africa, with 18 people confirmed to have…

The South African Police Service has noted with concern a photograph of two females, in SAPS uniform, each holding what appears to be a bottle of beer and posing next to packs of liquor. “We are currently investigating the authenticity and origin of the picture to determine the identity of the persons in photograph as well as when and where the picture was taken,” said SAPS in a statement. “Such behaviour by any South African Police Service member is unacceptable and it is condemned in strongest terms by police management.” As soon as the investigation is concluded and the picture…

South Africa, together with the rest of the African continent, has handled the COVID-19 pandemic well, given the circumstances that the world finds itself under. “I think we’ve handled it well. Much more proactively than other countries. I think Africa as a whole, what has been apparent is a significant amount of coordination among African countries early on,” said Chief Executive of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Elizabeth Sidiropoulos. Speaking to SAnews, Sidiropoulos said the African continent has taken lessons learnt from other countries in dealing with the pandemic that has grappled the world. “I think both South…

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is to donate fees derived across all asset classes traded on Wednesday 15 April and Thursday 16 April as part of a brand-new campaign #Trade4Solidarity to the Solidarity Fund. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Solidarity Fund on 23 March 2020 to unite the nation in action against the COVID-19 crisis.  The Fund is a rapid response vehicle designed to fund impactful initiatives that will augment the national health response contributions to national humanitarian efforts. The third focus area of the fund aims to mobilize South Africans to flatten the curve and manage the pandemic and…

Over the past few weeks, South African retailers and companies have been forced to significantly change the way they do business and serve customers as a result of  COVID-19 pandemic. With the government introducing a 21-day National lockdown requiring people to stay at home, the demand for delivery of essential items is rapidly accelerating. At the same time, demand from the business community for delivery services to help them keep up with consumer demand has dramatically increased. In response, today Uber is offering a delivery service for businesses, leveraging its logistics technology and network of drivers to provide retailers and…

Mr D Food has teamed up with Checkers to deliver prescriptions and medication to its MediRite pharmacy customers. This initiative aims to provide a crucial service to MediRite customers and will also benefit vulnerable individuals and those not easily able to leave their homes. In the drive to flatten the curve, this partnership is just one example of how food delivery apps can play an important role in supporting government initiatives to promote social distancing. Customers can place their prescription and medicine orders with their local MediRite pharmacy and request delivery from Mr D Food. To arrange the delivery of…