Looking back on the Covid-19 lockdown

The Middelburg Observer has spoken to various residents from different walks of life to allow them to reflect on the feelings they experienced when the lockdown was announced and went into full effect, these are their stories.

Lyzander Tacoulas was enrolled at Pretoria Boys High alongside his brother Tristan, when he heard that the lockdown was going to happen. He was unable to travel back to Middelburg as his parents had already been diagnosed with Covid-19.

His sister Zoë was also in Pretoria at the time, where all three siblings had to stay with their aunt and uncle in Gauteng until it was safe to return home.

Lyzander said it was the strangest time of his life, but he was grateful he had his family with him to keep him from becoming depressed, “Board games, TV and family time were the only things keeping me sane!” Lyzander stated.

Nonkululeko Mahlangu, a loving mother and wife, outlined her feelings as such, “I was terrified, how was I going to feed my family, how was I going to protect them?”

Kobus van Tonder was with his wife Bernadette at home when the lockdown was announced, “There was just a huge air of uncertainty, we couldn’t even be scared, because we didn’t really understand what we were experiencing. We educated ourselves and remained cautious, we didn’t go out and we stayed at home. We only went to the supermarket at times when things were a bit quieter. It was unlike anything we had seen before.” Kobus also joked, “It was good to take a break from our children, to be honest!”

Abedith Nunes, director of Kanonkop Spar, said, “The day before the lockdown there was a massive storm, and people were in a mad rush to get supplies and goods, so our store was packed, but because of the storm, people began thinking it was the end of the world! Looking back, I was just grateful that my family remained safe and that I was able to spend that period with them. It does feel as if those years didn’t exist or that they were wasted, so I am very happy we are back to normal.”

Manqoba Ashley Mashiteng had just finished school when the lockdown took place, “ I was really scared at that time, I was looking for a stable job and had no idea what the future had in store for me.” Thankfully Ashley managed to navigate that tricky period in his life and has now found permanent employment and is described as an exceptional human being and a hard worker by his employer.

Pastor Pete van der Spuy of the New Life Church was in his office watching the national broadcast of President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing the lockdown. He described his initial feelings as such, “I had a little bit of fear, I had never experienced something like that in my life, nor had my parents in theirs. Fortunately, I found the lockdown rather pleasant, we remained safe and I was pushed to my technological limits hosting online church for my congregation, however, as a runner it was a bit difficult to run 10km in my little garden!”

Jackie Handley had just given birth to her second child, Jayce, a month before the lockdown. Instead of dwelling on the negative side, she had the following to say, “I was relieved that I was fortunate enough to be in the situation where I had the support of my husband Kyle, as well as my mother-in-law. With this support, we could give our full attention to our kids and keep them safe at home. My eldest Kaitlyn was just so excited to be able to play with her daddy all day! I look back at the lockdown and am glad for the precious time we spent with our two beautiful children.”