African culture is under threat from the Covid-19 pandemic. In our culture, social isolation is unthinkable. If the community cannot come together for small social gatherings, or to discuss a marriage partnership, or for elders to congregate to settle a family dispute, the strong communal values that underscore African culture face dilution.
The Covid-19 crisis and the corresponding lockdown in South Africa, and many other countries has taught us many lessons. One lesson is that we really are part of a global community and we will all have to face the results of the pandemic and the potentially worse consequences of the lockdown.
The lockdown has led to isolation. People are restricted in terms of their movements and social interactions. Places of meeting and socialising are closed, and we are stuck in our houses – those of us fortunate to have houses.. In our culture, social isolation is unthinkable, especially in townships and in villages. We, therefore, have to consider this global catastrophe through the lens of our culture. Community and social interaction underpin African culture.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has already spoken of the need for the country to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution from a broader economic and future sustainability perspective, but the same principles must be adopted on the ground to ensure everyone remains in contact, talking and sharing, even if we are separated by physical distance.
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