How world sees SA: Formidable leader “seized by the urgency of the moment”

Many Western nations with sophisticated health systems have faltered in dealing with the outbreak of the coronavirus. Within the European Union, each country adopted a different approach even though they are so closely linked with some countries belatedly enforcing a lockdown, while Sweden bet on residents acting responsibly with no restrictions on movement. It is also an approach which the United Kingdom initially took, but a sharp increase in cases of Covid-19 indicating it was on track to emulate the devastation of Spain and Italy, prompted a lockdown. In many Western nations; there is still a serious shortage of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and widespread testing has not taken place. As the virus rages across the East and Europe; many African countries were quick off the mark to close borders and take steps to try to protect their citizens against the pandemic. This is in sharp contrast to the United States handling of the disease, with President Donald Trump tweeting at the end of February that the "Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA…Stock Market starting to look very good to me!" The US has since become the worst hit country in the world with more than 245 000 cases and 6000 deaths and stock markets have taken a nosedive. South Africa's handling of the pandemic has been praised by the BBC. President Cyril's leadership is described as "formidable" and African correspondent Andrew Harding says Health Minister Zweli Mkhize "has likewise garnered near universal praise". – Linda van Tilburg

By Thulasizwe Sithole

In an article titled "South Africa's ruthlessly efficient fight against coronavirus", Andrew Harding writes that it would be dangerously tempting a week after a nationwide lockdown were imposed in South Africa – "to breathe a sigh of relief". The total number of deaths are still low at only 5 with 1,400 positive cases. The country can boast 47,000 tests which include 67 mobile testing units and there are even drive-through testing centres. This will soon be ramped up to 30,000 people a day.

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