Most countries around the world have responded to the spread of the coronavirus through large scale lockdowns. With the global economy coming to a near stand-still, trade in food and related essentials has been prioritised to ensure food security.

Cyril Ramaphosa was entirely presidential when he stepped up to the podium on Thursday night and asked South Africans to “make an even greater sacrifice” and “endure” another two weeks of lockdown. He revealed that the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in SA had risen by 4.8% to 1,934 people by Thursday.

If there is just one outcome from the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa that could be considered positive, it is this: for perhaps the first time, the reality of household hunger and malnutrition has become visible to policymakers. 

The physical distancing measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 March followed by an extended lockdown may have bought us time to prepare for Covid-19. Good leadership has helped the response, but the current lockdown is not sustainable.

Durban - As the country waits with bated breath on President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Thursday night on whether or not the  national lockdown will end at the end of April, a government document – shared widely on social media – has outlined exactly how the government will ease the restrictions.

Minister Patel today provided a draft framework for sectors for the different levels of lockdown, asking for comments and input before the final regulations will be promulgated next Thursday, in time for the shift to level 4.

We are witnessing a global economic collapse without precedent in modern times. As investors we must think about what the world will look like when the pandemic has passed. This is difficult to do because the information we have is so uncertain and fragmentary. Sandy McGregor offers his thoughts on some of the features of the post-pandemic world.

From Angola to Zimbabwe, Southern Africa’s fragile economies are rattled by the coronavirus pandemic. Countries in the region have declared states of emergency and imposed lockdowns, shutting borders, sea ports and reducing daily business activity in order to curb the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable communities.

Democracies are not quick to respond to a new crisis because of the nature of decision-making in a democracy.

Support for the lockdown has evaporated as millions of families face the anxiety of a collapse in income, loss of jobs, and for many, real hunger.

The scale of the economic devastation from South Africa’s severe lockdown regime is fast becoming apparent.

Vir byna 60 dae word Suid Afrikaners al gevangene gehou, deur 'n magsbehepte regering, wat sy inwoners soos kinders behandel, in hulle eie land met reels en regulasies waarvan die meeste aan belaglik grens en soos kat en muis speletjies lyk.

TLU SA concerned about challenges because of continued lockdown-

South Africa's Competition Commission has announced that it has picked up concerning retail food pricing trends which could warrant further investigation and, possibly, litigation.

The decomposing remains of an adult white rhino lie in the bush. Its horn has been cut off – the bleached skull and vertebrae the only evidence it ever existed.

“It is important to realise that the South African economy was already in a recession before the lockdown was implemented by the government.

The movement of South Africa from level two to level one of the lockdown will bring no substantial change to the economy.