COVID-19: Unpacking Treasury, Sarb’s R800bn stimulus package

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
 <video-js
 data-account="1571595826001"
 data-player="c0AOssA7"
 data-video-id="6151875965001"
 data-embed="default"
 controls=""
 data-application-id=""
 class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/c0AOssA7_default/index.min.js">
</script>
The COVID-19 epidemic is crippling the tourism industry and leaving many tour guides without a job. CNBC Africa spoke to Pamela Giramata Gasana, a tour guide on how the pandemic has affected her career.

Tour guides bear the brunt of COVID-19 as tourism industry grinds to a halt

By Chris Bishop



At time when many finance ministers around the world would be tearing their hair out, through the cloud of crisis came finance minister Tito Mboweni’s vision of a post-COVID-19 Utopia. A country with fewer Chinese imports bustling factories full of young hopefuls and a new South African airline flying overhead.



This was the word from Mboweni as he laid out his government’s R800 billion package of tax relief for corporates and more money for those on social grants in what he sees as a war for national survival as much as a plan to deal with a pandemic.



“This is like a war and everyone needs to go to the front to deal with this,” says Mboweni.



Looking to the future he said the South African economy should think hard about what it is going to look like after COVID-19 has wreaked its havoc on business.



“When companies rise from the ashes they should be thinking of new ways of doing business. We should be rid of the old ideas and imagine the new… We must take young people, who are not in education or employment and train them into economic activity,” says Mboweni.



“We should be thinking about projects like expanding Durban Harbour. The other day Pravin Gordhan was talking about building a new airline from the ashes of SAA. We should set up a new national agriculture board that will identify our under-utilized fields.”



Mboweni said the country should also look at new mines and making more of what it consumes in what he said could be the economy.



“We should set up manufacturing to make what we need and stop relying on imports from China,” says Mboweni.



In a country where almost one in three are unemployed, Mboweni’s words are likely to be popular. Yet the dream appeared beyond the South African economy when it was booming 15 years ago in the good times before junk status..



There is a precedent. When the former Rhodesia – now Zimbabwe – became a rebel state in 1965 by breaking away from Britain – it suffered sanctions imposed from its &nbsp;former imperial masters . At the time, Rhodesia imported about 90 % of all its goods from Britain and made the remainder at home. A few years into sanctions the reverse was true and the country built up a robust manufacturing sector based on import substitution.



If this could support a pariah rebel state in Africa in the 20th century, maybe it could help support a democratic state in Africa in the 21st century. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 16: Finance minister, Tito Mboweni briefs the media on the details of government interventions in various sectors of the departmental portfolios on COVID-19 at DIRCO Media Centre.

106468131-1585649490275gettyimages-1207457483

South Africa must stop relying on Chinese imports we can build it ourselves: Mboweni’s Utopia.

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
 <video-js
 data-account="1571595826001"
 data-player="c0AOssA7"
 data-video-id="6151861624001"
 data-embed="default"
 controls=""
 data-application-id=""
 class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/c0AOssA7_default/index.min.js">
</script>
Protectionism is seemingly on the rise and this, combined with the already devastating economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, may have serious repercussions for African trade. CNBC Africa spoke with Frank Matsaert, CEO of Trade Mark East Africa on how to keep trade between Africa and the rest of the world flowing.

COVID-19: How to keep trade between Africa and the rest of the world flowing

EXPO 2020: Driving innovation in the payments space

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Rwanda’s agriculture sector

Our combined fiscal and policy measures are above R800 billion, says Tito Mboweni SA finance minister that will be rapidly rolled out.



&#8220;Time is of the essence&#8217;, says Mboweni.



Government unveils a package of tax relief and welfare measures to ease the economic pain of COVID-19. 



Mboweni said the government would pour billions of Rand into social security payments along with a raft of tax relief measures to help companies with their cash flow.



VAT returns would be fast tracked, says Mboweni, there would be a holiday on the skills development levy; deferments on tax payments; a deferment of the new carbon tax until October 31; a number of other corporate taxes outlined in the budget will be put on hold.



Mboweni also said billions would be poured into the social security system to help poor South Africans. There would be R50 billion put into the system it can pay everyone more for everything from child support to care givers.



The finance minister said the government was tightening its fiscal belt to ensure it had the money to help South Africa weather COVID-19.



&#8220;We have looked at the budget and anything that can be postponed will be postponed. We are putting all the money we can into resolving this crisis,&#8221; says Mboweni.

COVID-19: Mboweni says SA government to put R800 billion to help ease pandemic

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
 <video-js
 data-account="1571595826001"
 data-player="c0AOssA7"
 data-video-id="6151851337001"
 data-embed="default"
 controls=""
 data-application-id=""
 class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/c0AOssA7_default/index.min.js">
</script>
As the COVID-19 lock-down in Nigeria progresses, we find out how best to ensure food security in the new normal. Akintunde Sawyerr, Founder of the Agricultural Fresh Produce Growers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFGEAN) joins CNBC Africa for this discussion.

How Nigeria can ensure food security during the COVID-19 lock-down

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
 <video-js
 data-account="1571595826001"
 data-player="c0AOssA7"
 data-video-id="6151831529001"
 data-embed="default"
 controls=""
 data-application-id=""
 class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/c0AOssA7_default/index.min.js">
</script>
Botswana has declared a 6 months state of emergency to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The country was first placed on a 28 day lockdown but has been extended on demand by parliament; the country has 22 confirmed cases so far with 1 death. Joining CNBC Africa to unpack the economic impact that this move will have on industries, trade and businesses is Bogolo Kenewendo, Economist and the former minister of investment, trade and industry in Botswana.

Bogolo Kenewendo on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting Botswana’s economy

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
 <video-js
 data-account="1571595826001"
 data-player="c0AOssA7"
 data-video-id="6151826613001"
 data-embed="default"
 controls=""
 data-application-id=""
 class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/c0AOssA7_default/index.min.js">
</script>
The billionaire Oppenheimer family has overseen interest free loans worth R638 million given to five thousand eight hundred businesses in just 11 days. Who get these millions go? Well right now we are going to speak to someone who has got some of the money. Karen Levell employs 42 women in two nail bar businesses in Johannesburg. Even before the lockdown her business was in trouble because people didn’t want to risk contact.

Here’s how the Oppenheimer fund is helping this two nail bar businesses stay open

On Thursday <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/coronavirus/2020/04/23/sa-to-phase-out-lockdown-these-are-the-details/">South Africa&#8217;s President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that the country would take a phased approach to ending its lockdown</a>. From the 1st of May it will move from phase 5 to phase 4. Below are the various stages that the country will likely follow and what each means&#8230;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="535" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-5-1110x535.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-369084" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-5-1110x535.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-5-300x145.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-5-768x370.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-5-696x336.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-5-1068x515.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-5.jpg 1122w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="653" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-4-1110x653.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-369085" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-4-1110x653.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-4-300x176.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-4-768x451.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-4-696x409.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-4-1068x628.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-4.jpg 1121w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="610" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-3-1110x610.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-369086" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-3-1110x610.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-3-300x165.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-3-768x422.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-3-696x383.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-3-1068x587.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-3.jpg 1124w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="565" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-2-1110x565.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-369087" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-2-1110x565.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-2-300x153.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-2-768x391.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-2-696x355.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-2-1068x544.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-2.jpg 1121w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="500" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-1-1110x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-369088" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-1-1110x500.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-1-300x135.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-1-768x346.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-1-696x314.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-1-1068x481.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/level-1.jpg 1123w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></figure>

Abel Sithole appointed as CEO of South Africa’s PIC

COVID-19: How the different levels of SA’s staged lockdown exit work

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
 <video-js
 data-account="1571595826001"
 data-player="c0AOssA7"
 data-video-id="6151800336001"
 data-embed="default"
 controls=""
 data-application-id=""
 class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/c0AOssA7_default/index.min.js">
</script>
This week the National Assembly of Kenya met and passed amendments that could stand to benefit Kenyan SMEs, CNBC Africa spoke to SME Consultant, Victor Otieno on how much of help this will be to the sector and what else can be done during this difficult time.

Kenyan govt. steps in to help small businesses survive COVID-19

South Africa&#8217;s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening announced the gradual phasing out of the country&#8217;s <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/coronavirus/2020/04/09/sa-extends-lockdown-by-two-weeks-until-end-april/">35-day lockdown</a> based on five-phases.



In his address to the nation Ramaphosa said the country is currently on phase five. 



He said from Friday 1st May the country will move to phase four. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PHASES-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-369075" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PHASES-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PHASES-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PHASES-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PHASES-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PHASES-696x696.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PHASES-1068x1068.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PHASES.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



&#8220;When we move to phase four our borders will remain closed to international travel, except for the repatriation of South African nationals and foreign citizens,&#8221; he said. Adding that no travel will be allowed between provinces except for the transportation of goods and exceptional circumstances such as funerals.



READ: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/coronavirus/2020/04/21/covid-19-sa-announces-r500bn-stimulus-package-about-10-of-gdp/">COVID-19: SA announces R500bn stimulus package; about 10% of GDP</a>



In phase four:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>People will be able to exercise under strict conditions.</li><li>The elderly and those with underlying conditions must stay at home.</li><li>The selling of cigarettes will resume. </li><li>Bars, shebeens, conference and convention centres, entertainment venues, cinemas, theatres, and concerts will remain closed.</li><li>Concerts, sporting events, and religious, cultural and social gatherings will not be allowed until it is deemed safe for them to continue.</li></ul>



Ramaphosa added the country&#8217;s ministers will announce which industries will be impacted by phase four. 



Businesses that will be allowed to resume operations will need to do so in a phased manner, first preparing the workplace for a return to operations, followed by the return of the workforce in batches of no more than one-third, he said.



For more on COVID-19 in Africa visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>



The relevant ministers will provide details on the phased reopening of schools, Ramaphosa added. 



See below for his full statement&#8230;



STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON SOUTH AFRICA’S RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, UNION BUILDINGS, TSHWANE



My Fellow South Africans,



It has been exactly seven weeks since the first case of the coronavirus was confirmed in our country.



Since then, all our lives have changed in fundamental ways.



As a nation we have been forced to take aggressive action against an invisible enemy that threatened our lives and the lives of our loved ones.



We have been forced to adapt to a new way of living, in a short space of time.



As we enter the fifth week of an unprecedented nation-wide lockdown – and as we look to the future – we should remember why we are here.



The novel coronavirus, which was identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year, has spread rapidly across the world.



To date, over 2.6 million confirmed cases have been reported worldwide.



The actual number of people infected is likely to be far higher.



The coronavirus causes the disease known as COVID-19, a respiratory illness for which humans currently have no immunity and for which there is no known cure.



The coronavirus is passed from person to person in small droplets from the nose and mouth that can be transmitted by direct contact, on surfaces we touch or when an infected person coughs or sneezes when they are close to another person.



Most infected people exhibit only mild symptoms; some do not show any symptoms at all.



But there are people who develop severe symptoms and require hospitalisation.



These are usually older people and those who suffer from underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer.



For some of these people, COVID-19 is fatal.



Across the world, more than 185,000 people have succumbed to the disease.



Here in South Africa, at least 75 people have lost their lives.



Because the coronavirus can spread so rapidly through a population, it can overwhelm even the best-resourced health system within a matter of weeks.



This is what has occurred in many countries across the world, and it is precisely what we, as South Africa, have gone to great lengths to prevent.



Very few health systems across the world – if any – are prepared for a sudden and exponential increase in people requiring treatment for a severe respiratory illness.



As a result, if the virus spreads too quickly, there are not enough hospital beds, intensive care units, ventilators, personal protection equipment or medicine for everyone who needs them.



To make matters worse, people who are suffering from other conditions or need emergency procedures are unable to get the care they need.



And in such circumstances, many lives that could have been saved, are lost.



I am reiterating these basic facts – which by now are probably familiar to many of you – because they explain the actions we have taken to date and they inform the measures I am announcing this evening.



From the moment we declared the coronavirus pandemic to be a national disaster on Sunday 15 March, our objective was to delay the spread of the virus.



We have sought to avoid a massive surge in infections and an uncontrollable increase in the number of people needing medical care.



Our approach has been based on the principles of social distancing, restriction of movement and stringent basic hygiene practices.



By delaying the spread of the virus, we have had time to prepare our health facilities and mobilise some of the essential medical supplies needed to meet the inevitable increase in infections.



And it is in so doing, that we hope to save tens of thousands of lives.



There is clear evidence that the lockdown has been working.



Together with the other measures we have taken – such as closing our borders – and the changes in behaviour that each of us has made, the lockdown has slowed the progression of the pandemic in the country.



The World Health Organization has commended South Africa for acting swiftly and for following scientific advice to delay the spread of the virus.



Yet, while a nation-wide lockdown is probably the most effective means to contain the spread of the coronavirus, it cannot be sustained indefinitely.



Our people need to eat. They need to earn a living. Companies need to be able to produce and to trade, they need to generate revenue and keep their employees in employment.



We have accordingly decided that beyond Thursday 30 April, we should begin a gradual and phased recovery of economic activity.



We will implement a risk adjusted strategy through which we take a deliberate and cautious approach to the easing of current lockdown restrictions.



We have decided on this approach because there is still much that is unknown about the rate and manner of the spread of the virus within our population.



The action we take now must therefore be measured and incremental.



This approach is guided by the advice from scientists who have advised that an abrupt and uncontrolled lifting of restrictions could cause a massive resurgence in infections.



We cannot take action today that we will deeply regret tomorrow.



We must avoid a rushed re-opening that could risk a spread, which would need to be followed by another hard lockdown, as has happened in other countries.



We have to balance the need to resume economic activity with the imperative to contain the virus and save lives.



To achieve this, we have developed an approach that determines the measures we should have in place based on the direction of the pandemic in our country.



As part of this approach, there will be five coronavirus levels:



Level 5 means that drastic measures are required to contain the spread of the virus to save lives.



Level 4 means that some activity can be allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions required to limit community transmission and outbreaks.



Level 3 involves the easing of some restrictions, including on work and social activities, to address a high risk of transmission.



Level 2 involves the further easing of restrictions, but the maintenance of physical distancing and restrictions on some leisure and social activities to prevent a resurgence of the virus.



Level 1 means that most normal activity can resume, with precautions and health guidelines followed at all times.



To ensure that our response to the pandemic can be as precise and targeted as possible, there will be a national level and separate levels for each province, district and metro in the country.



We are currently at Level 5, which requires a full national lockdown to contain the spread of the virus.



This is the highest level of lockdown and was imposed when drastic action was necessary to curb transmission.



The National Coronavirus Command Council will determine the alert level based on an assessment of the infection rate and the capacity of our health system to provide care to those who need it.



We have undertaken a detailed exercise to classify the different parts of the economy according to the risk of transmission in that sector, the expected impact of the lockdown, the economic contribution of the sector and the effect on livelihoods.



The relevant Ministers will provide a detailed briefing on the classification of industries and how each is affected at each level.



We will give all industry bodies an opportunity to consider these details and, should they wish, to make submissions before new regulations are gazetted.



The National Coronavirus Command Council met earlier today and determined that the national coronavirus alert level will be lowered from level 5 to level 4 with effect from Friday the 1st of May.



This means that some activity will be allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions to limit community transmission and outbreaks



Some businesses will be allowed to resume operations under specific conditions.



Every business will have to adhere to detailed health and safety protocols to protect their employees, and workplace plans will be put in place to enable disease surveillance and prevent the spread of infection.



All businesses that are permitted to resume operations will be required to do so in a phased manner, first preparing the workplace for a return to operations, followed by the return of the workforce in batches of no more than one-third.



In some cases, a sector will not be able to return to full production during Level 4 while the risk of infection remains high.



These will be spelt out next week following a final round of consultations.



Businesses will be encouraged to adopt a work-from-home strategy where possible.



All staff who can work remotely must be allowed to do so.



The relevant Ministers will provide details on the process for the phased re-opening of schools and other educational institutions.



As we gradually ease the restrictions, it is necessary that many of the measures to contain the spread of the virus remain in place.



When the country moves to level 4 on 1 May:



Our borders will remain closed to international travel, except for the repatriation of South African nationals and foreign citizens.



No travel will be allowed between provinces, except for the transportation of goods and exceptional circumstances such as funerals.



Public transport will continue to operate, with limitations on the number of passengers and stringent hygiene requirements, including that all passengers must wear a face mask.



The public is encouraged to stay at home, other than for essential personal movement, doing essential work and work in sectors that are under controlled opening. People can exercise under strict public health conditions.



All gatherings, apart from funerals and for work, will remain prohibited.



Those who are elderly, and those with underlying conditions, must remain at home and take additional precautions to isolate themselves.



The sale of cigarettes will be permitted.



The range of goods that may be sold will be extended to incorporate certain additional categories. These will be detailed by the relevant Ministers.



It is important to note that several restrictions will remain in place regardless of the level of alert for as long as the risk of transmission is present:



Bars and shebeens will remain closed.



Conference and convention centres, entertainment venues, cinemas, theatres, and concerts will remain closed.



Concerts, sporting events, and religious, cultural and social gatherings will not be allowed until it is deemed safe for them to continue.



The coronavirus is spread by contact between people.



If people do not travel, the virus does not travel.



We know, for example, that just one funeral in Port St Johns and one religious gathering in Mangaung contributed to a spate of infections in their respective provinces.



From the evidence we have, we know that 75 percent of confirmed coronavirus cases are found in just six metro municipalities – Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town, Buffalo City, EThekwini and Mangaung.



It is therefore essential that we do everything in our means to restrict the movement of people and – although it runs counter to our very nature – to reduce the contact that each of us has with each other.



Ultimately, it is our own actions, as individuals, that will determine how quickly the virus spreads.



If we all adhere to instructions and follow public health guidelines, we will keep the virus under control and will not need to reinstate the most drastic restrictions.



We can prevent the spread of coronavirus by doing a few simple things.



Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol based sanitiser.



Keep a distance of more than one metre between yourself and the next person, especially those who are coughing and sneezing.



Try not to touch your mouth, nose and eyes because your hands may have touched the coronavirus on surfaces.



When you cough or sneeze cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue, and dispose of the tissue right away.



As we begin the easing of lockdown restrictions from the beginning of May, we are calling on all South Africans to wear a face mask whenever you leave home.



Our clothing and textile industry – including many small businesses – are gearing up to produce these masks on a mass scale.



The extraordinary measures that we have put in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic have been matched by the extraordinary contributions of many South Africans.



We pay tribute to them, the nurses, the doctors, the scientists and the community screening field workers who are leading our public health response.



We are committed to ensuring that they have all the resources they need – including adequate personal protection equipment and other recognition – to undertake the work that is being asked of them.



As we slowly ease the lockdown restrictions, we are substantially and rapidly increasing our public health response.



We have already seen a huge increase in community screening and testing.



Guided by advice from the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, we have joined other African countries in placing mass screening and testing at the centre of the next phase of our response.



Earlier in the week, I announced an additional allocation of R20 billion to our health response to ensure that we have the beds, medicine, equipment and personnel required when the country experiences the peak of infections.



This evening, I also want to pay tribute to those who are providing essential services and goods – the truck, taxi, bus and train drivers; the workers on farms, in stores, at power stations, at water plants, at petrol stations, in banks and in call centres; the law enforcement officials and security personnel.



It is thanks to your efforts that we have been able to make such valuable progress in combating this pandemic.



As part of expanding this effort, I have employed over 70,000 defence force personnel to assist with various parts of our coronavirus response.



Until now, those defence force members that have been deployed have supported the South African Police Service in their responsibilities.



They will continue to do so, but they will also be providing assistance in other essential areas, such as the provision of water supply, infrastructure maintenance and health services.



This is a crucial moment in our struggle against the coronavirus.



It is a time for caution.



It is a time to act responsibly.



It is a time for patience.



There is no person who doesn’t want to return to work.



There is no company that does not want to re-open.



There is no student who does not want to return to their studies.



Yet, we are all called upon, at some time in our lives, to make great sacrifices for our own future and for the future of others.



There are times when we must endure hardship and difficulty, so that we can enjoy freedom and prosperity into the future.



During the past five weeks, we have demonstrated to the entire world what a nation can achieve with courage, determination and solidarity.



We must not give up now.



I am asking you to stay strong.



I am asking you to remain united.



Stay home, stay safe.



Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.



May God bless South Africa and protect her people.



I thank you.

Ramaphosa tests negative for coronavirus as South Africa to begin lockdown

CR-lockdown

SA to phase out lockdown, these are the details

By Chris Bishop



More than half of the billion Rand fund put up by the billionaire Oppenheimer family has been lent to thousands of small businesses in just 11 days in a bid to help them weather the COIVD -19 storm, that threatens to wreck the South African economy. &nbsp;



The Oppenheimer family – that made a fortune over the last century in mining &nbsp;– was one of the first of the big family names in South African business to come forward with a relief fund when South Africa declared a state of disaster in March. It is called the South African Future Trust and it saw tens of thousands of applications from cash-strapped businesses within days..



Interest free loans worth R638 million have been disbursed, through the banks, to 5,800 small businesses. It will ensure that 55,000 employees of these companies can expect money at the end of this month in which South African business has been all but shut by the lockdown.



The Oppenheimers are trying to call their contacts to increase the billion Rand fund. Jonathan and his father Nick Oppenheimer managed to raise R40 million more for the fund by ringing around over the Easter weekend. A statement, on April 23, said those pledges had now increased to R120 million that will enable the fund to support an extra 10,000 workers. 



“We are immensely grateful to those who have already joined the Oppenheimer family in contributing to SAFT,” says the family in the statement.

_BBP7566

COVID-19 :African Billionaire family lends more than half a billion in 11 days to stop small businesses being swept away.

<div style="max-width: 700px;">
 <video-js
 data-account="1571595826001"
 data-player="c0AOssA7"
 data-video-id="6151625225001"
 data-embed="default"
 controls=""
 data-application-id=""
 class="vjs-fluid"></video-js>
</div>
<script src="//players.brightcove.net/1571595826001/c0AOssA7_default/index.min.js">
</script>
Clicks is going ahead with plans to open 38 new stores and 40 new pharmacies despite uncertainties of how COVID-19 will impact the economy. The pharmaceutical retailer has however put dividends and share buybacks on ice, opting to preserve cash for tough times ahead. Clicks CEO, Vikesh Ramsunder joins CNBC Africa for more.

Clicks rolling out new stores despite COVID-19

COVID-19 & Markets: Is market signalling worst of COVID-19 is over?

By Chris Bishop



The laboratory in the front line of fight against the deadly COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria’s remote northern state of Kano has closed down because the disease has struck down a number of its workers.



Kano – the hometown of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote – has seen a spike in mystery deaths in recent as Nigeria battles the pandemic with scant resources. Former Nigerian aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode tweeted a claim that 150 people had died mysteriously in Kano recently; the official figures say Kano has only 59 cases of COVID-19, but the government health authorities say they will investigated the mystery death claim.



These concerns from Kano were raised with the World Health Organisation at its weekly webinar on Africa. Sani Aliyu, the coordinator for the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja, said small teams were struggling, with little money, to test and track data.



“This week the laboratory in Kano was closed in an incident where one or two members acquired COVID-19. We had to disinfect the place and ensure that there are adequate controls for safety. It will take three or four days to reopen it,” says Aliyu &nbsp;



Whatever the outcome of the Kano investigation, officials in Nigeria are clear that the fight against COVID-19 is going to be a tough one.



Nigeria was the first African nation to report a case of COVID-19 and many in the country criticize the government for testing a mere 10,000 people out of a population of 200 million.”



“The truth is we have to work with what we have we did start from scratch the same as South Africa had. We have tested 5,000 people in the last week so we have increase the rate of testing incredibly. Once we have more equipment we will be able to do more tests across the country,” Chikwe Ihekweazu Director General for Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.



“People think of a dipstick test: Is it blue or red? But it is not, it is a very complicated level of extraction  and analysis that takes six to seven hours to complete. It is very complex I would rather go little bit slower and get it right than go at speed and make errors.”



WHO officials agree that more needs to be done to build up equipment and skills to fight the pandemic; when it broke out there were a mere 30 ventilators in Lagos – most at private hospitals – and 360 in the country. WHO officials said another 100 ventilators had been shipped into Nigeria over the last few weeks.



“Everything we do right now is, one, to help us solve the problem and, two, to make for a better tomorrow. We are building people, we are building institutions and we are building to last and we may not get a second chance to do this,” says Ihekweazu. Bold words, in the face of a brutal pandemic.

President Buhari to AfDB President Adesina: “I’ll stand by you”

Newsletter

COVID-19: Unpacking Treasury, Sarb’s R800bn stimulus package

Tour guides bear the brunt of COVID-19 as tourism industry grinds to a halt

South Africa must stop relying on Chinese imports we can build it ourselves: Mboweni’s Utopia.

COVID-19: How to keep trade between Africa and the rest of the world flowing

EXPO 2020: Driving innovation in the payments space

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Rwanda’s agriculture sector

COVID-19: Mboweni says SA government to put R800 billion to help ease pandemic

How Nigeria can ensure food security during the COVID-19 lock-down

Bogolo Kenewendo on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting Botswana’s economy

Here’s how the Oppenheimer fund is helping this two nail bar businesses stay open

COVID-19: How the different levels of SA’s staged lockdown exit work

Kenyan govt. steps in to help small businesses survive COVID-19

SA to phase out lockdown, these are the details

COVID-19 :African Billionaire family lends more than half a billion in 11 days to stop small businesses being swept away.

Clicks rolling out new stores despite COVID-19

COVID-19 & Markets: Is market signalling worst of COVID-19 is over?

Mystery deaths as Nigeria tries to hold back an avalanche of COVID-19

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Newsletter

COVID-19: Unpacking Treasury, Sarb’s R800bn stimulus package

Tour guides bear the brunt of COVID-19 as tourism industry grinds to a halt

South Africa must stop relying on Chinese imports we can build it ourselves: Mboweni’s Utopia.

COVID-19: How to keep trade between Africa and the rest of the world flowing

EXPO 2020: Driving innovation in the payments space

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Rwanda’s agriculture sector

COVID-19: Mboweni says SA government to put R800 billion to help ease pandemic

How Nigeria can ensure food security during the COVID-19 lock-down

Bogolo Kenewendo on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting Botswana’s economy

Here’s how the Oppenheimer fund is helping this two nail bar businesses stay open

COVID-19: How the different levels of SA’s staged lockdown exit work

Kenyan govt. steps in to help small businesses survive COVID-19

SA to phase out lockdown, these are the details

COVID-19 :African Billionaire family lends more than half a billion in 11 days to stop small businesses being swept away.

Clicks rolling out new stores despite COVID-19

COVID-19 & Markets: Is market signalling worst of COVID-19 is over?

Mystery deaths as Nigeria tries to hold back an avalanche of COVID-19

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Newsletters