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There is a lot going on in South Africa this month, so keep reading to get caught up!
New Covid-19 variant
Following the discovery of the Delta variant in South Africa, another Covid-19 variant was found in recent months. Named “C.1.2”, this variant has been said to be more easily spread and thus more dangerous than the other forms of the Covid-19 disease. However, no concrete evidence has been found whether this mutation of the Covid-19 virus will have a large impact on transmissibility or resistance to the vaccine. The C.1.2 mutation has been found in all provinces of the country; however, few cases have been detected in each and the rate of increase remains low. The most important thing to do is to continue following the regulations set in place to ensure safety from the new mutation.
Covid Restrictions
President Cyril Ramaphosa last spoke on Sunday, September 12th of 2021, announcing the move down to a level 2 lockdown from the previous 2-month-long level 3. While this has loosened travel and gathering restrictions, it still remains constrictive, particularly in terms of the 11pm curfew and store trading hours. From August 20th 2021, people ages 18-34 have been permitted to get the vaccine, in the President’s efforts to “accelerate [their] vaccination programme so that the vast majority of adult South Africans can be vaccinated before the end of the year” as he stated in his address. This has allowed for 18% of the population to have received at least one jab, while 12% are fully vaccinated. Talks about requiring proof of vaccination for access to certain public spaces have also occurred in the past week.
Unemployment rate
As a side effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, unemployment in South Africa has reached an all-time high. In fact, it is now the country with the highest unemployment rate at 34.4%, surpassing Nigeria with 33.3%. This increased rate of unemployment has been largely due to the lockdown since March 2020. A year ago, the rate was at 23.3% but following Covid-19 restrictions during the lockdown, more people have become unemployed as companies and businesses have shut down from low economic activity.
South Africa in the Olympics
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics brought South Africa 3 total medals, 1 gold and 2 silver, awarded from swimming and surfing. The athletes bringing home the medals from these Summer Games are Tatiana Schoenmaker and Bianca Buitendag. Compared to Rio 2016, the country’s medal count has decreased; nevertheless, the athletes performed well. For these Olympics, South Africa sent their biggest team in history, with 185 athletes ranging across 19 sports.
