South Africans came together as a nation when the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic first struck. Then, as the devastation of the pandemic deepened, we started drifting apart. We soon began clashing openly. As the virus tightened its grip, the discourse become more divisive. Issues around race and nationality emerged as a major fault line.
An ongoing theme within the conversation on the lockdown regulations was concern for the treatment of vulnerable people, especially caring for the homeless. Members of opposing gangs in the Cape Flats called an unprecedented truce to help members of their community. @SiyaMiti_the1st tweeted: “Remember Zulaikha Patel was 13 years old when she and other black girls had to fight to wear their hair in its natural afro form. So at 14 Bianca knew very well that racism is wrong and abusive.”
On Africa Day, the top post by reach and impact was President Cyril Ramaphosa’s message: “As countries around the world battle to turn the tide against the pandemic, Africa has taken firm control of its destiny, by developing a clear strategy and raising financial resources from its member states”. .
During a webinar, SA Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter said that the pandemic provided South Africans with an opportunity to re-imagine our economy and to address historical inequalities: “We have not been successful at addressing the inequalities. We are still the most unequal society in the world. In times of crisis, the poor are the most vulnerable.”
Most people commenting on the post appeared to agree with the tweet, with some saying that South Africans must be put first when it came to employment. Then the conversation about race entered the arena, with businesses taking a stand. A company called Swiitch Beauty made it into the social media spotlight after tweeting solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter and offering grants and product giveaways to up and coming black artists and business owners.
“Aunt Jackie’s not blacked owned?!?!?!..I hate it here” tweeted @thejaanico after several hair brands targeted at black consumers were exposed for not being black-owned. You supported the killing of your fellow black brothers and sisters, and you have some useless hashtag on social media saying #PutSouthAfricansFirst. That is narrow nationalism.”
A post by @SayEntrepreneur, a self-proclaimed information centre for South African entrepreneurship, alleged there were millions of jobs for unemployed South Africans in restaurants, malls, supermarkets and hotels, and employers who chose not to employ South Africans must provide a valid reason.
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