We need to see and hear from the president directly more often about opening up the economy
Considering that it was just one day short of three weeks since President Cyril Ramaphosa last addressed the nation, it’s not a surprise that the speech didn’t meet with universal acclaim.
There was also, though, much to admire in Ramaphosa’s address. In contrast with some of his ministers with their paternalistic attitude, the president did what he does best: be a voice of reason, compassion and solidarity. What do we know so far? The government believes the lockdown strategy has been correct and has saved lives, while delaying infections enough to enable the country’s health system to build up its capacity to deal with an inevitable surge later.
Thursday’s change to allow more e-commerce is a very welcome sign that logic is finally triumphing and that the voice of the economic cluster in the cabinet will get stronger. We need to get as many people back to work as possible and as soon as possible, while taking the necessary steps to make sure they can do so relatively safely, cognisant that whatever the war analogy implies, we are not engaged in a simple fight with an enemy that can be defeated.
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