By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West Premier, Bushy Maape who wished South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa well after he tested positive for COVID-19, calls on all people to support government programmes to receive vaccination, follow existing non-pharmaceutical protocols during this festive season.

Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele said in a statement on 12 December 2021 that Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive for the viral infection.

“The President started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today. The President is in good spirits but is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defence Force.

“The President, who is fully vaccinated, is in self-isolation in Cape Town and has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week. On his recent visit to four West African states, President Ramaphosa and the South African delegation were tested for COVID-19 in all countries,” Gungubele said.

He also urged people who have had contact with Ramaphosa to watch for symptoms or to have them tested.

Meanwhile, Maape said: “As we wish President Ramaphosa a speedy recovery, we also wish to thank him for his leadership in choosing to make public his positive test and lead from the front of the country’s effort to respond to the new variant Omicron.

“President Ramaphosa’s role in the frontline response to COVID 19 has been recognized in our country, continent and globally since the pandemic in 2020. We welcome the news that Ramaphosa has presented with very mild symptoms, which is a clear indication that vaccines do work.” 

He further said they believe that vaccination offers the only viable option out of the pandemic towards a manageable health response, which will allow South Africa to restore most of our normal lives and return most of our economic and social activities to near normalcy.

Maape added that as Ramphosa takes time off to recover in order to return to full service of our nation, they should not allow this festive season to delay their recovery any further.

“We pledge our support to the Deputy President, David Mabuza as he leads the following days of our response to COVID-19, together with the collective of the National Coronavirus Command Council, and all Provincial and District Command Councils across the Country.

“Let’s vaccinate, before we vibe this festive season,” he concluded.

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