Well done, South Africa.

That’s three days of national lockdown sorted, and it appears that many of us are settling in.

Sure, neighbourhood Facebook groups are still full of people shaming those who flout the rules, but there will always be those who think their circumstances make them an exception.

What is far more heartening is the rapturous applause that echoes from balconies and windows around Cape Town, and I assume the country, at 8PM each night (I’ve heard some neighbourhoods are 7PM), thanking the doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and others who are out there fighting the good fight.

See this video, for example:

That’s the spirit of ubuntu, people.

We know we’re a creative, resourceful people, with a great sense of humour, which is why News24 asked readers to send their best, funniest and most creative videos of what they are getting up to while they are in lockdown.

Some of these are a good laugh, and others – well, thanks for trying…

A few chuckles in there.

It hasn’t been all roses, though, and some disturbing videos have done the rounds, showing police going to extreme measures to enforce the lockdown.

Perhaps most disturbing was the video of police opening fire in Yeoville on Friday, using rubber bullets to disperse residents:

A degree of force will be needed to enforce a lockdown, but this sort of action could lead to an escalation of violence, rather than compliance.

So, about today. Before you rant and rave about people being out and about, remember that many are collecting their social grants. It’s great that you stocked up last week, but for the majority of South Africans, that is not possible.

The collection of social grants will continue throughout the week, and then that money will need to be spent buying groceries.

If you want to lose your rag at someone in the ‘burbs, out for a jog or walking their dog, that’s your prerogative. Just be mindful that your lived reality may be very different from others, and we’re all in this together.

[source:news24]