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The lockdown provided us with a prism through which we could look at our crazy lives and simplify them. It was a strange and special time

Four years later: The early part of Covid-19 lockdowns was the weirdest of times

The lockdown provided us with a prism through which we could look at our crazy lives and simplify them. It was a strange and special time

Protesters get arrested for refusing to wear face masks  at the Worldwide Rally For Freedom at Muizenberg Surfers Corner on November 20, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa.(Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Pandemic preparations are unhealthy

A proposed treaty and law changes would compromise national and health sovereignty

Protesters march along a street during a rally for the victims of a deadly fire as well as a protest against China’s harsh Covid-19 restrictions in Beijing on November 28, 2022. – A deadly fire on November 24, 2022 in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region, has become a fresh catalyst for public anger, with many blaming Covid lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts, as hundreds of people took to the streets in China’s major cities on November 27, 2022 to protest against the country’s zero-Covid policy in a rare outpouring of public anger against the state. Authorities deny the claims. (Photo by Noel CELIS / AFP)

China: No easy exit from zero-Covid

A gradual easing within broadly contained zones before loosening restrictions more broadly worked for China’s economy. It may work for its healthcare system too

Since its establishment in 2020, the Spaza-shop Support Programme has funded more than 6 000 small businesses around the country but many shop owners have bemoaned the poor communication around the scheme. Photo: Supplied

Spaza shops take centre stage in township economy

Consumers living in such areas are spending more at spazas than big retailers, according to a report

Making vaccination mandatory may be beneficial, given that the government has a responsibility to protect its people; but it does raise the issue of whether forcing individuals to receive a compulsory vaccination would interfere with their rights.

Are mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations a violation of human rights?

The issue is a complex one, and nearly impossible to enforce

(John McCann/M&G)

All players need to work together to help girls cross the digital divide

The hard lockdown imposed two years ago showed how difficult it is for girls and young women in poorly resourced areas to learn online

Charl-Christo Petersen’s paintings from Day 143 of lockdown.

Inside the mind of artist Charl-Christo Petersen: 165 paintings in 165 days of lockdown

Cape Town fine artist Charl-Christo Petersen never saw himself as that until lockdown, when he was able to take thoughts and feelings of many and put them down on canvas

Despite strong legislation, South Africa is failing to address its unacceptable rates of woman abuse. (Nardus Engelbrecht/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Criminalising gender-based violence is not enough

Despite strong legislation, South Africa is failing to address its unacceptable rates of woman abuse

After the stall during 2020’s pandemic, travellers have come storming back exponentially each year. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)

​​Shrewd management of future Covid waves is key to the tourism industry’s recovery

Stakeholders are cautiously optimistic about 2022, citing relaxed restrictions and discussions with the government as reasons for hope.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson answers questions during a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, in Downing Street on November 5, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

UK’s Johnson faces parliament over party scandal

The embattled leader has been silent since an email was leaked late Monday that appeared to show a senior official inviting more than 100 colleagues to an outdoor event in May…

In this photo illustration a close-up of a positive coronavirus lateral flow test can be seen in front of a Christmas tree on December 26, 2021 in Cardiff, Wales. A revised version of alert level two measures was introduced on Boxing day at 6am to help mitigate the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

‘Unclean!’ Or how to tell people you’re Covid-positive

After 20 months of caution, I let my guard down. Now I feel terrible

Mondli Gungubele, has removed the board of directors of the South African Postbank amid allegations of an unlawful contract worth R140 million.  (Photo by PRESIDENCY OF SOUTH AFRICA/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Covid-19 lockdown restrictions still to be discussed, says Gungubele

The minister in the presidency said the cabinet had not discussed adjusted lockdown restrictions and vaccine mandates

Nurses treat patients infected with Covid-19 at ward number 20 of the Tembisa Hospital in Tembisa, on March 2, 2021. (Photo by Guillem Sartorio / AFP) (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO/AFP via Getty Images)

Covid-19 hospital admissions on the rise in Gauteng as fourth wave looms

Most of the admissions are of unvaccinated and younger people, but there are fears of a spread to older people

David van der Westhuizen who sells books at the KZNSA in Glenwood, Durban, 21 September 2021. (Rogan Ward)

Slice of life: ‘I can read nine or 10 books a week’

David van der Westhuizen, a street bookseller based at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts Gallery in Durban, tells Paddy Harper how he survives unemployment

(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Covid-19 a stress-test for legislative emergency provisions in African countries

Research by a Cape-based academic centre found that the implementation of legislative provisions was done selectively in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia

Simon ‘Scorpion’ Nyalvane, Caylene Whiteboy and Vorster Netshiongolo appear at Palm Ridge Magistrates Court. (Photo by Gallo Images/OJ Koloti)

Nathaniel Julies trial: New evidence against senior in command, ‘Scorpion’

State witness Mandla Sithole’s testimony has again unveiled the scant regard for protocol or the rule of law by police officers

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 28: The three police officers accused of killing 16 year old Nathaneil Julies appears at Protea Magistrate’s Court for bail ruling on September 28, 2020 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

High court admits damning recording of alleged police cover-up in Julies murder case

Brutality trend emerges in trial against Eldorado Park police trio facing charges relating to the murder of Nathaniel Julies

The release of the new James Bond, film’s favourite super spy, is more significant than ever. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

‘No Time to Die’: James Bond’s not-so-secret mission to save cinema

The release of the new James Bond, film’s favourite super spy, is more significant than ever

All-rounder: Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada’s parents still remind him to nurture his other skills, in addition to his talent on the cricket field. It seems he took this advice to heart: together with a school friend, he produced a short film, Ring of Beasts, during the initial hard lockdown.  (Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Q&A Sessions: Kagiso Rabada — ‘When I retire, I will know that I gave my best shot’

Kagiso Rabada talks to Eyaaz Matwadia about his love for music and production, how the lockdown affected him, and how he hopes to get back to his best

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa on Monday vowed to ensure that those implicated in the mismanagement of millions of rand meant to benefit artists through the presidential employment stimulus programme (Pesp) were brought to book. (Photo by Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Officials implicated in arts council mismanagement will be brought to book — Mthethwa

The National Arts Council vows that every cent from the sector’s Covid-19-relief programme will be disbursed to artists, after auditors uncover maladministration