Covid-19 in Limpopo: A five-year reflection
We look back on lockdown struggles, business closures, education shifts and how Covid-19 presents itself now, five years after South Africa went into it's hard lockdown on March 27, 2020.
POLOKWANE – In March 2020, Polokwane, like the rest of South Africa, came to a halt as the government announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.
On March 23, 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would move into a lockdown for 21 days from midnight on 26 March.
At the time, the National Department of Health confirmed that Covid-19 cases in the country had exceeded the 1 000-mark, with two official deaths.
Streets once filled with life turned eerily silent as residents adjusted to the reality of staying indoors.
Strict regulations were put in place, gatherings were banned, travel was restricted and only essential services were allowed to operate.
Life went from normal the one day to being confined in our homes the next.
Essential workers: The frontline battle
While most people stayed home, healthcare workers, police officers, and other essential workers risked their lives daily.
Healthcare workers faced a lack of resources, emotional exhaustion and the fear of bringing the virus home to their families.
At the time, the then Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba was active in her role, visiting both isolation and vaccination centers around the province.
Business & economy:
The lockdown devastated local businesses, forcing many to shut down permanently.
Small enterprises bore the brunt of the crisis, with restaurants, salons and retail stores suffering major losses.
In July, 2022, the local restaurant industry joined a nationwide silent protest to highlight the massive impact of Covid-19 lockdown regulations on the industry.
Read more: [WATCH] Polokwane restaurants join ‘Million Seats on the Streets’ protest
The sector had been closed from the start of the hard lockdown in late March up to the end of May and operated at limited capacity in June, with lockdown restrictions not allowing for on-site consumption of alcohol.
Other industries followed suit…
Placards with the hashtags #GymSavesLivesSA, #OpenOurGyms and #JobsSaveLives were seen outside of Body Life Polokwane on 5 August 2020, in support of the national protest by gym owners, employees and members.
The peaceful demonstrations ran from 12:00 to 14:00 and one of the facilities participating was Body Life Polokwane.
Education shift: The online classroom era
The pandemic reshaped education, with schools in Polokwane forced to switch to online learning almost overnight.
For many students, this transition was difficult, especially those without access to reliable internet or digital devices.
Despite the challenges, the shift to digital learning led to lasting changes. Today, many institutions still incorporate online elements into their curricula, making education more flexible.
Read more: The Impact Of COVID-19 On Education
The Jerusalema Challenge:
While the pandemic brought many hardships, it also brought moments of unity and joy.
It also saw the viral rise of the Jerusalema Challenge which garnered videos from across the world.
The song “Jerusalema” by Master KG became an anthem for many, with people across the city, from healthcare workers to schools and businesses, participating in the dance challenge as a way to lift spirits during the isolation of lockdown.
Covid-19 then vs. now:
The pandemic may be over, but the virus remains a part of daily life.
While the initial waves brought severe cases and overwhelmed hospitals, the virus now circulates more like the flu, with milder symptoms for most people.
Local doctor, Dr Wilhelm von Ludwig says hospitals are not filling up anymore but that outbreaks do occur now and then.
“It usually presents with a common cold and flu symptoms such as a sore throat, fever and a cough,” he said in an exclusive TikTok video.
@polokwanereview 🚨 EXCLUSIVE: @doctorvonludwig breaks down Covid-19—then vs. now! 😷🔬 Exactly 5 years since the first day of hard lockdown, how does it present today? Watch now! 👀 #Polokwane #ReviewOnline #Limpopo #FYP ♬ original sound – plkreview
Dr von Ludwig says the protocol for treating Covid-19 now involves treating the virus symptomatically with no antibiotics.
“We adhere to normal cold and flu protocols, booking patients off if they are not feeling well but no specific amount of isolation time,” he said.
