4 April 2020

Saturday · Day 9 of lockdown

The rand weakened after Fitch Ratings agency downgraded South Africa’s credit rating. According to Fitch, one reason for their decision was the lack of a clear path to stabilise government debt. The funeral of renowned South African author and sangoma, Credo Mutwa, was held on this day after his death on 25 March 2020. In the US, shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) meant that medical staff had to look for different ways to protect themselves. Rain ponchos and garbage bags were suggested as replacement surgical gowns.

It has been raining in Johannesburg for nearly four days straight, which means that sitting outside is now also not really a possibility. According to the weather report, however, the rain should clear up by the end of the day and the sun should be out for the coming week. I can feel the weather getting colder, which means that winter is around the corner. I am actually grateful to be home during this time because I find it quite difficult to cope with bad weather when I am staying in my residence room. On the other hand, the new season is not good news for the spreading of the virus. Apparently, it spreads most easily in colder temperatures. Of course, South Africa is now only starting to feel the effects (according to the statistics the numbers are still quite low, but the authorities are only managing to test 5 000 people per day). I went grocery shopping today and of course the streets were deserted, apart from the occasional car on its way to buy ‘essential goods’.

How goods are classified as essential or not baffles me. No alcohol is allowed to be sold. Cigarettes are also not allowed to be sold, but surely the lung damage cigarettes cause cannot be reversed in 21 days. I do not really see the logic in it. Also, would a prohibition on cigarettes not just lead to a spike in black market dealing, especially in informal settlements? I suppose we will only be able to tell after all this is over.

* * *

This morning when I was doing my chores, I casually looked up and out through a window facing the street. I saw one of my neighbours outside on their front lawn. It was a really weird moment because it seemed somewhat unreal to be seeing another person in the flesh.

Today my dad decided to bake coconut bread. It was quite weird. He’s never really been one for baking, but he loves cooking. I guess everyone’s trying out things they wouldn’t usually do, however big or small those things might be.

This evening, my parents decided to bring out the tennis table. This table tennis board had been sitting in the garage probably since we’d moved into this house, which was 2015. So, this was a momentous occasion. Evidently, they were trying to find new things to do.

I’ve also noticed how the initial conflict between my family, which was the result by being confined to the same space for a prolonged period, has decreased. We’ve learned how to live with and around each other during this period by giving each other the space that we all need.

* * *

I have not mentioned this before, but my aunt is a nurse. Fortunately, she is a paediatric nurse; there have been no reported cases at her place of work. My heart still aches for her though. She comes home every morning complaining about the ill-treatment nurses are getting. She says that hospitals are refusing to spend money on protective equipment. They were instructed to use only one mask per week.

* * *

Today my thoughts were filled with the uncertainty of what next year brings for me, provided I graduate this year (which I am on track to do but the lockdown may have an effect on). […] I know that this is something that will have a huge impact on my life, so it is only natural to be lost thinking about it for hours at a time, especially when there isn’t much else to do. I did realise that a lot of the ideas I had for my life, starting next year, were contingent on the world that existed before this global lockdown. And it dawned on me that the world probably will be completely different after this. After all, this is the first time in over 50 years that something has really shut down the whole world, and certainly the first time in my lifetime. I am still excited to get out into the real world, similar to the feeling I had after high school, but at the same time the world could be different in so many ways that any ideas I have now might turn out to be obsolete. […] My mind is all over the place.

* * *

One of the unintended, but surely expected, consequences of the national lockdown is a surge in reports of gender-based violence [GBV]. With no chance of escaping one’s abuser, South Africa is one of the most dangerous places for a woman to be right now. Victims have fewer opportunities to seek help and less support is available to them. This trend is not unique to South Africa but can also be seen in other countries that have initiated lockdowns. China saw the incidence of GBV (and other domestic conflicts) fuel divorce rates after the quarantine period. Couples may be stressing about job security, financial health, teaching their children and chores to name a few things. It must be true that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I wonder if South Africa will see the same effect on marriages.

* * *

Another cold, wet day … I found myself incredibly sad today. […] I don’t know how to describe it, but it just wasn’t a good day. Then top it all off, my mom said her “insider sources” have confirmed that it is definite that the lockdown will be extended. I was too annoyed to ask for more information.

I’m trying to break up the monotony of my days but it’s kind of hard. I didn’t think I would say it so soon, but I really do miss Stellies [Stellenbosch]. I miss seeing lots of people (even if I don’t know who they are). I miss complaining about res food and vowing not to eat another res meal ever again. I miss going to polo practise and fighting about who should have scored a goal in a game. I always thought myself an introvert, but this lockdown is really showing me otherwise.

* * *

Today I woke up at 8:00 am determined to study, but how can I study without proper internet connection. My main problem is that, to access SunLearn, I will need a proper internet connection, but right now I don’t even have a phone. I think I will need to talk to [friend] later about buying a phone, but what if the market for phones is closed in the current situation? […]

A friend told me about someone selling an iPhone 6 for R2 000. I had to take the offer. Now I have a phone to call my relatives.

* * *

The arts are grossly undervalued for the impact they can have, not only on the mental state of people, but as a medium of expression, protest and inspiration. Many entrepreneurial pursuits are either birthed from or inspired by art, and thus one can argue that art is a necessary driving force of the economy.

Being a creative myself, I became acutely aware of how people gravitate towards the arts during difficult times. I am part of various creative communities who have all initiated different projects during this nationwide lockdown to ensure the continuance of the arts and also to ignite or rekindle an appreciation for such things.

* * *

The Western Cape government plans on moving thousands of people out of informal settlements in [an] attempt to de-densify areas. However, many residents are refusing to leave and opposing the plans for logistical, social, financial and emotional reasons. I don’t think that the government’s plan is viable. There are still many homeless people on the street that the police were supposed to relocate. I also believe that help should start at the bottom levels and work upwards, and that initial promises should be delivered on. Thus, protecting the homeless population should be a priority, and the previous statements need to be supported through action.

* * *

Today, on the ninth day of lockdown, I have decided to limit the amount of time I spend reading Covid-19 news. Since I have been home, I have developed the habit of spending hours reading the news and watching related videos. Staying up to date is very nice, but this is obviously fuel for anxiety.

Speaking of news, today I read an article based on a speech by Akinwumi Adesina. Africa’s public debt is estimated to increase above $2 trillion [USD] as a result of the virus. […] Seeing how developing countries are struggling to keep afloat during this time is shedding light on the vastly different lives that people live. On Twitter, I see many American celebrities saying that we are all in the same boat when we are clearly not. The virus might not specifically affect those of a certain race or class, but in fighting the virus we are not on an equal playing field; money and power helps.