Covid: 19 Petals

Covid - 19

PetalS

40 DAYS OF

LIFE-CHANGING CHRONICLES

THE CATCH OF 2020

ILZA OOSTHUIZEN

First published in South Africa by Ilza Oosthuizen

Published by Ilza Oosthuizen Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright © Ilza Oosthuizen 2020

The right to Ilza Oosthuizen to be identified as the

author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance

with the Copyright as determined in terms of Section 3(2)(a) of the

Copyright Act of 1978 and all successive amendments thereto.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted,

in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording or otherwise,

without the prior permission of the author.

The author has no responsibility for the information provided by

any website whose address you obtain from this book.

The inclusion of website addresses in this book does not constitute

an endorsement by or association with her of such sites or the content,

products, advertising or other materials presented on such sites.

Typset by Bronwen Bickerton for Reach Publishers, South Africa

Printed and bound by Novus Print Solutions, South Africa

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not,

by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or

otherwise circulated without the author’s prior consent

in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it

is published and without a similar condition including this

condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Ilza Oosthuizen

[email protected]

My thanks go to the following people for their

invaluable inspiration, presence and positive influence in my life –

Lawrence Ashworth Gallagher, Lindeka Zuma, Delana Le Roux,

Anet Vyvyan-day, Barrie Hylton Kelly, Gaynor Kast, Theo Heerman,

Thandeka Mazibuku, Peter Wessels, Sarah Clark, Vivian Reddy,

Warren Bessey, Kim Matthews, Gavin Ferrier, Musa Zulu, as well as

Piet van Deventer, Marie Teghman van Deventer, and Vlekkie van Deventer.

"Thank you dearest friends –

‘we’ is a beautiful word that stands in eternity."

PROLOGUE

Young people between the ages of 15 to 34 years old make up 20.6 million people – 35.7 per cent of the total population in South Africa. The impact of lockdown, due to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, has affected not only our young people but millions of people living in South Africa and globally –socially, economically, spiritually, mentally, physically and in every way, especially those hardest hit by poverty due to unemployment. This book is written as a tribute to South Africa’s young people and our future leaders. Covid-19 Petals is a book written with real life stories for our young people to share with their families in twenty years, a few decades from now. It is a documentation of events and life experiences of people living in South Africa and abroad, and what they went through during 2020 during the most difficult, first forty days of lockdown in our country.

A great appreciation goes to the media, who mostly provided the core information written in this book. Reporters, journalists and editors from media houses in an unceasingly intense way, placed their own lives at risk. They worked hard from home to source information to be published on a daily basis in our newspapers, during lockdown, to keep the public informed.

In this prologue I give you real stories from five young people, expressing what our young people felt, thought and experienced during lockdown. Their stories tell the core truth of the life changing chronicles they went through. I start with 20-year-old Lindeka Zuma from Mayville who is of Zulu origin. I have known and shared Lindeka’s precious life for 17 precious years, since she was three years old. I love Lindeka and have stood by her side all these years as my own child. About her lockdown experience, Lindeka has the following to say:

"Being on lockdown has been one of the most difficult things I have faced in my entire life.

"My definition of lockdown is staying at home, only going out for basic necessities such as food and for medical attention. We even have a drill that we need to follow, which is washing your hands for 20 seconds, sanitising, wearing a face mask and cleaning surfaces frequently.

"I know we were told to stay at home, but technically I didn’t have a choice. On March 26th 2020, which was one day before South Africa’s lockdown started, I had to relocate from Mayville to KwaMashu to my boyfriend’s house which is 12 kilometres north of Durban. The reason why I relocated was because my mother and sisters had to relocate to our farm in Kranskop, as we thought it wasn’t safe for the children to be in the densely populated township of Mayville during lockdown. This was to protect my four-year-old niece and seven-year-old nephew from getting the Coronavirus. There is no running water or electricity on the farm.

"This left me with my two-month-old baby. At first I was a bit reluctant about going to live with my boyfriend and his family, but looking back I think it was the best decision I could have ever made in this situation and this ongoing Covid-19 crisis we are currently faced with.

"I do not think that I would have bonded with my son as much, as I was planning to get myself a job soon after his birth. I also do not think that my boyfriend would have bonded so beautifully with our son, even though my boyfriend goes to work in the early hours of the morning and comes back late at night. I am enjoying every second of spending time with my son, my boyfriend and the extended family. My son even recognises his daddy the minute he walks in the house and literally starts smiling and mumbling when he sees him. I am also getting to know my boyfriend, what he likes and what he dislikes. It helps building a sound and solid relationship for us.

"This lockdown has been an eye opener. The reason why I say this is an eye opener is because a lot of people have lost their jobs and loved ones during this pandemic. It has also brought families together as some family members will put their whole focus on their jobs. It has also helped parents to get an opportunity to bond again with their children.

It has taught me that a person should show love to those close to your heart while they are still alive, because you don’t know when their day will come, when they will pass away. (Lindeka Zuma. Mayville – Durban.)

Nana Zulu, 30, of uMlazi said she was coping with the lockdown as best as she could. Zulu, from Q Section, is self-employed and lives alone.

The first few days of the lockdown were quite strict. There was no noise and no taxis. But ever since people started getting their pension, everybody has been up and down in the area – some pretending to get essentials, she said.

Zulu said that she had only seen police patrolling in her area once in the first few days of the lockdown and was yet to see them again.

Zulu lives in the same area as a teacher who recently passed away due to Covid-19 and said the pandemic had now become serious.

It now means that it’s around my area and that a lot of people can get infected so it raises fear. Personally, I feel the only ones who get infected are those who are in constant interaction with others, said Zulu.

She added she wasn’t very worried about contracting the virus.

I don’t really have friends in the area and I don’t have people who come and visit me. So I’m not worried because I’m not interacting with people in the area. We keep washing our hands so hopefully nothing will happen to me, she said. (Sunday Tribune April 5th, Page 6. By Reeshni Chaslyn Chetty.)

Zandile Ngubane, 27, who lives in Amatikwe, Inanda, said she has not seen people from the neighbourhood, which was uncommon.

We usually see people walking on the street. It’s always noisy but not now. The streets are usually busy over the weekend. But it felt different, there was no loud music or any drunk people walking around, said Ngubane.

The single mother of one, who is a training administrator, said although she had not seen any visible police patrols in her area, she felt safe.

A friend who lives in another section of Inanda said she had seen police conduct roadblocks to discipline those who were not abiding by the rules of the lockdown, she said.

She said it was a worrying time, adding that people needed to comply with the rules to stay safe. Ngubane, who lives with seven family members, said she had been using her time cleaning and teaching her two-year-old child. (Sunday Tribune April 5th Page 6. By Taschika Pillay.)

Lindelwa Mkhize, from Edendale near Pietermaritzburg, has found the first week of lockdown challenging, but knows it’s important to adhere to the restrictions to keep her children and grandmother safe and healthy.

A law student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mkhize also has concerns that the institution may cancel the semester.

Not being able to move around if and when I need to has been hard. It has also been tough to get medication for my son. The clinic in the vicinity hardly has medication, she said.

There has also not been much police presence, but police are sometimes at the entry and exit points of the township.

Mkhize lives on a main road across a petrol station with an express supermarket, and said it has been busy this week as residents flock to receive their social grants, with most coming from nearby rural areas.

The business this week was packed to capacity. It seems most people were here to get some money and purchase essentials, even though the supermarket is not so cheap, she said. (Sunday Tribune April 5th Page 6. By Lethu nXumalo.)

Lasizwe, known for his crazy YouTube skits, took to Twitter to let people know that he is not coping with lockdown.

He said in the tweet: ‘I can’t take it anymore! I am officially losing my mind. This lockdown is really causing my anxiety to peak. I feel so disconnected from the world and feel so isolated! I’m really praying for this pandemic to end as it’s messing with my mental health. I genuinely feel like crying. But there are no tears left to cry’.

In a recent interview with Sowetan Live, Lasizwe opened up about his anxiety and mental health issues. He was quoted as saying it was the ‘struggles with being a public figure and having to put on a brave face amid depressing moments’.

I experience loneliness and isolation, and then I tap out. It’s like a coming-and-going type of feeling. It’s like you zone out of it, and sometimes you find yourself bouncing back into that feeling.

Lasizwe’s fans quickly rallied together to restore some happiness back to his life, some even offering a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen.

Just remember that this too shall pass, just like all the many stressful situations that you’ve been through and overcame. Sending you hugs. – (Thomazama Mqikela@MightyZama)

You’re lucky you’re experiencing this in comfortable situations, with food and warmth. Imagine those who are struggling without food and other essentials with no means. My heart pours out for them. (@caramelmeddie)

If you want to talk, am available for anxiety. Let’s work this out. – (Mmeli@Mmeli001.)

You’re not alone … I feel exactly the same … my anxiety and mini depression has been triggered that I even struggle to sleep … It’s even worse knowing you’ve run out of food and not know what to do or where to go next … it’s really stressful. (BrownSugar@VuyoFanta.) (Daily News April 24th Page 9. By Alyssia Birjalal.)

Nompumelelo Mbatha, 27, from Mayville and a mother of two children says about her lockdown:

"Lockdown has been devastating for people like us who survive on piece jobs and child support grants. This means during lockdown you cannot go out and look for jobs. So you only have one option, which is the ‘support grant’ which I could say with no hesitation, that this child support grant is not enough to maintain a household of five people.

"Life is hard for almost everyone here in Mayville since lockdown. Most people are at home not getting paid since they aren’t permanently employed and honestly not everyone gets a food parcel.

Support from friends and family are our plan B through this tough time. But sadly we are all on the same page. You get help wherever you can and you will just have to do without some stuff … as long as you sleep on a full tummy and you prayed Coronavirus does not get to you. The rest is history. (Nompumelelo Mbatha Mayville – Durban.)

I want to end this prologue with two quotes:

"I do not think of all the misery but of the glory that remains. Go outside to the fields, nature and sun. Go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy." (Anne Frank)

‘And when your fears subside

And shadows still remain,

Oh yeh, I know that you can love me

When there is no one left to blame

So never mind the darkness

We can still find a way

‘Cause nothing lasts forever

Even cold November rain’.

- Guns N’ Roses, November Rain

PRELUDE

A tribute to our talented journalists and reporters working for South Africa!

When His Excellency the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced on Monday March 23rd, 2020, over national radio and television as well as on social media that South Africa would be in a full 21-day lockdown from Thursday March 26th 2020 at midnight to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus as much as possible, many South Africans had no idea of what was going to happen. There was no crystal ball, no prophet or written document that pre-described how people in South Africa were going to cope, how they would spend their days or, how they would spend their time, being physically locked down at home, twenty-four hours a day.

Inasmuch as people in South Africa and abroad visited and cared for, hugged their grandmas and grandpas, their grandchildren and children, nephews, nieces, mums, dads, sisters, brothers, friends, partners and extended family, this was now forbidden. Social distancing became a norm, to protect people globally, from contracting the contagious novel Coronavirus. Mass gatherings, church attendance, going to work except for essential services, shopping and practicing sport, going to the beach or playing in parks became prohibited. No alcohol or cigarettes could be bought. Shopping was only for food and medical essentials. People were asked to stay at home. Children could not attend school. Universities and tertiary institutions closed and students could not attend lectures.

The only connection people could have, I assumed, was through social media and information technology. People could Skype each other around the world and stay connected by using their cell phones, by joining WhatsApp groups, by using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and many other social media platforms. People could stay informed with lockdown developments by reading newspapers which have been on supermarket shelves forever, and also from day one of South Africa’s lockdown. Millions of homes have televisions and hopefully with printed newspapers, even more.

Since His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement that the lockdown will commence, I decided that I personally wanted to stay informed about the Coronavirus developments. As a result, I started to make an effort early every morning from Tuesday March 24th, 2020 to walk across the road from where I live in Morningside, Durban, to the Engen Garage, to buy the Daily News and The Mercury newspapers Mondays to Fridays, the Independent on Saturday on Saturdays and the Sunday Tribune and Sunday Times on Sundays. Reading the newspapers daily became my morning coffee and rusks treat. It also gave me inspiration to create a pattern of living daily during lockdown, using my time by staying informed while listening to the radio, following trends on YouTube and reading the newspapers at the same time.

By day one of South Africa’s lockdown, I settled in my plan as to how I was going to spend my time. I had the tools, a memory stick and a laptop on hand. I had my radio, as well as all the enthusiasm and motivation to re-write and document what I found interesting and informative from news channels and the abovementioned printed media. My original idea writing this book was to pay a tribute and generate a continued passion for newspaper reading among South Africans. This was my vision. I wanted to give credit to CEOs of newspaper houses, editors, journalists, columnists and all members of the media who are all talented people who make a career of it, to keep people in South Africa informed.

The essence of staying informed, by reading books, newspapers and magazines, cannot be over emphasised. Social media and technology have sadly decreased the readership and capacity of printed media globally. This book is also a tribute to all newspaper houses and the people who work in the media industry.

I took mostly human interest stories from four Independent Media newspapers: The Mercury; Daily News; Independent on Saturday; Sunday Tribune; and Arena Holding’s Sunday Times and Financial Mail; as well as Caxton & CTP’s Berea Mail, and typed the editorials in this book ‘Covid-19 Petals’ during the first 40 days of lockdown. It kept me informed and occupied. On Friday March 27th 2020, as we entered in the lockdown period, my buying the newspapers daily and being so determined to document and type the good journalists’ interesting stories, I couldn’t but realise the talent and courage of contributing journalists. I couldn’t imagine in what circumstances they let themselves in, how they risked their own health, their own safety, to get the frontline news of developments due to Covid-19 and the Coronavirus. The Berea Mail was delivered at my home every week during lockdown. Reading and documenting the stories, I couldn’t but think that these journalists possess a solid ethical core and integrity, that they are courageous and bold, and that they have strong communication skills, tech-savviness and analytical minds.

It is a fact that many journalists and all South Africans, especially our young people in South Africa, have created their own lockdown tapestry. Also people who never thought of buying the newspaper, have done so supportively and to stay informed. This is my offering to you. My media tapestry of the first 40 days of lockdown which started on Friday March 27th, 2020, and after 40 days ended on Tuesday, May 5th, 2020. May you consider as you read Covid-19 Petals 40 Days Of Life-Changing Chronicles how fellow South Africans built their own tapestries in a time that charity and solidarity prevailed, especially during the most difficult first 40 days of South Africa’s lockdown in 2020.

A special tribute to our country’s journalists, whose lockdown stories appear in Covid-19 Petals.

I would like to end this prelude with a quote:

"The more I get older and the more I find that you can only live with the beings who realise you, who love you with such a light affection to bear is strong to experience. Today’s life is too hard, too bitter, too anemianté, so that we still suffer from new easements, from whom we love. This is how I am your friend, I love your happiness, your freedom, your adventure in a word, and I would like to be for you the companion we are sure of always." – Albert Camus to René Char, 17 September 1957.

Wuhan China

What happened in Wuhan China at this time? On March 2nd 2020 an urgent prayer request was placed on social media from Wuhan in China. This was the request:

"Dear families in Christ, Peace to you in the Lord. Yesterday midnight, the Huangpu Church and the Hankou Church in Wuhan asked Christians everywhere to urgently pray for them. Many members of the Haungpu Church are in critical and dangerous situations. Hankou Church has over 20 members suffering from the Coronavirus attack. Please lift up your hands to intercede for them.

Please read the message and forward it to other Christians so that we can be united and pray for them. Don’t just be restricted to your own small group; send to all who will pray whether inside or outside the small group. God knows that I believe in the communion of the saints, I believe in the forgiveness of sins. We believe in the resurrection of the body, we believe in eternal life in Christ, Amen.

All across China people were talking about Dr. Li Wen Liang from Wuhan. He was allegedly the doctor who discovered the novel Coronavirus which infected him and his wife as well. In the early morning of February 7th 2020 at 2.58am he passed away, promoted to glory, and went home to be with our Father in heaven.

In December 1919, Dr. Li Wen Liang was arrested for being a whistle blower ‘spreading rumours’ about a mysterious pneumonia-like virus. It was found out that he was a fellow brother in Christ. Hearts among Chinese people, mostly people living in Wuhan, were deeply moved by his sacrificial choice to spread awareness about the Coronavirus, despite the risks he faced, especially to his reputation and to his own health.

He continued to care for patients who were Covid-19 infected until he was infected himself. What a legacy to leave behind of what it means to be like Jesus, to those hurting in a time of crisis. He chose to be an example of Immanuel, ‘God with us’ to the people of Wuhan, China.

We can imagine the joy he must have felt as he entered into eternity and heard the words, Well done, my good and faithful servant!

So today, please pray for his family, also his wife who is also infected and eight months pregnant with their second child. May God heal them supernaturally and give grace, peace, strength and comfort during this time.

Dr. Li Wen Liang, who must have known he was going to die of the Coronavirus, penned down a deeply touching Chinese poem, of how he would miss his family, his beloved Wuhan and quoted from the Bible, 2 Timothy 4: 7 and 8. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which is the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing." #jiayouwuhan

What poem was written at this time? ‘The Hero Who Told The Truth’. (Written by the late Dr. Li Wen Liang.) Translated from Chinese to English:

‘I don’t want to be a hero. I still have my parents, and my children, and my pregnant wife who’s about to give birth, and many of my patients in the ward.

‘Although my integrity cannot be exchanged for the goodness of others, despite my loss and confusion, I should proceed anyway. Who let me choose this country and this family? How many grievances do I have? When this battle is over, I will look up to the sky, with tears like rain.

‘I don’t want to be a hero, but a doctor, I cannot see the unknown virus hurting my peers and so many innocent people. Though they are dying, they are always looking at me in their eyes, with their hope of life.

"Who would ever have realised that I was going to die? My soul is in heaven, looking at the white bed, on which lies my own body, with the same familiar face. Where are my parents, and my dear wife, the lady I once had a hard time chasing?

‘There is a light in the sky! At the end of that light is the heaven that people often talk about. But I’d rather not go there. I’d rather go back to my hometown in Wuhan. I have my new house there, for which I still have to pay off the loan every month. How can I give up? How can I give up? For my parents without their son, how sad must it be? For my sweetheart without her husband, how can she face the vicissitudes in her future?

‘I am already gone, I see them taking my body, putting it into a bag, with which lie many compatriots gone like me, being pushed into the fire in the hearth at dawn.

‘Goodbye, my dear ones. Farewell, Wuhan, my hometown. Hopefully, after the disaster, you’ll remember someone once tried to let you know the truth as soon as possible. Hopefully after the disaster, you’ll learn what it means to be righteous. No more good people should suffer from endless fear, and helpless sadness.

"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness."’ 2 Timothy 4:7. Holy Bible. (By the late Dr. Li Wen Liang. Wuhan, China.)

The Holy Bible is the Word of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Creator of earth.

1 John 1 verse 1-4 reads: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. (Holy Bible New International Version 1995.)

It is Monday evening in South Africa, March 23rd 2020. His Excellency, the Honourable Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa, is addressing the nation on social media, radio and television. This is the content of his speech:

"My fellow South Africans,

It is a week since we declared the coronavirus pandemic a national disaster and announced package measures to combat this grave public health emergency. The response of the South African people to this crisis has been remarkable. Millions of our people have understood the gravity of the situation.

Most South Africans have accepted what has been placed on their lives and have taken responsibility for changing their behaviour. I am heartened that every sector of society has been mobilised and has accepted the role that it needs to play. From religious leaders to sporting associations, from political parties to business people, from trade unions to traditional leaders, from NGOs to public servants, every part of our society has come forward to confront this challenge.

Many have had to make difficult choices and sacrifices, but all have been determined that these choices and sacrifices are absolutely necessary if our country is to emerge stronger from this disaster. Over the past week, South Africans have demonstrated their determination, their sense of purpose, their sense of community and their sense of responsibility. For this we salute you, and we thank you.

On behalf of the nation, I would also like to thank the health workers, our doctors, nurses and paramedics who are on the frontline of the pandemic, our teachers, border officials, police and traffic officers and all the other people who have been leading our response.

Since the national state of disaster was declared, we have put in place a range of regulations and directives. These regulations have restricted international travel, prohibited gatherings of more than 100 people, closed schools and other educational institutions and restricted the sale of alcohol after 6pm. We reiterate that the most effective way to prevent infection is through basic changes in individual behaviour and hygiene. We are therefore once more calling on everyone to:

Wash hands frequently with hand sanitisers or soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow.

Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

Everyone must do everything within their means to avoid contact with other people. Staying at home, avoiding public places and cancelling all social activities is the preferred best defence against the virus. Over the past week, as we have been implementing these measures, the global crisis has deepened. When I addressed the nation last Sunday there were over 160,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases worldwide. Today, there are over 340,000 confirmed cases across the world. In South Africa, the number of confirmed cases has increased six-fold in just eight days from 61 cases to 402 cases. This number will continue to rise. It is clear from the development of the disease in other countries, and from our own modelling, that immediate, swift and extraordinary action is required if we are to prevent a human catastrophe of enormous proportions in our country. Our fundamental task at this moment is to contain the spread and the disease. I am concerned that a rapid rise in infections will stretch our health services beyond what we can manage and many people will not be able to access the care they need. We must therefore do everything within our means to reduce the overall number of infections, and to delay the spread of the infection over a longer period – what is known as flattening the curve of infections.

It is essential that every person in this country adheres strictly – and without exception – to the regulations that have already been put into place and to the measures that I am going to announce this evening.

Our analysis of the progress of the epidemic informs us that we need to urgently and dramatically escalate our response.

The next few days are crucial.

Without decisive action, the number of people or infected people will rapidly increase from a few hundred to tens of thousands, and within a few weeks to hundreds of thousands. This is extremely dangerous for a population like ours, with a large number of people with suppressed immunity because of HIV and TB, and high levels of poverty and malnutrition.

We have learnt a great deal from the experiences of other countries. Those countries that have acted swiftly and dramatically have been far more effective in controlling the spread of the disease.

As a consequence, the National Coronavirus Command Council has decided to enforce a nationwide lockdown for 21 days with effect from midnight on Thursday 26 March. This is a decisive measure to save millions of South Africans from infection and save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

While this message will have a considerable impact on people’s livelihoods, on the life of our society and on our economy, the human cost of delaying this action will be far, far greater.

The nationwide lockdown will be enhanced in terms of the Disaster Management Act and will entail the following:

From midnight on Thursday 26th March until 16th of April, all South Africans will have to stay at home. The categories of people who will be exempted from this lockdown are the following: health workers in the public and private sector, emergency personnel, those in security services – such as the police, traffic officers, military medical personnel, soldiers – and other persons necessary for our response to the pandemic. It will also include those involved in the production, distribution and supply of food and basic goods, essential banking services, the maintenance of power, water and telecommunications services,