As we count down to the festive season in this year of the killer pandemic, my plea to all South Africans is not to allow Covid to turn our December celebrations into January and February's tragedies.
We did well to keep the first wave of the virus from running amok this year, as it did in countries such as Italy, France and the United States.
Even so, thousands of our families are mourning the loss of loved ones, and breadwinners across the country are struggling to put food on their tables.
Now the second wave is upon us. Hospitals wards are filling up again, and ambulances and mortuary vans are returning to our communities.
Nobody really knows if the second wave will be more or less punishing than the first. From what we are seeing overseas we must brace ourselves for the worst.
If we give the virus room to prosper this festive season, instead of smothering it with wise behaviour, we could be in serious trouble by the time autumn comes. It is in our hands.
There is good news on the horizon: Richer northern countries have started to implement vaccination programmes. But it will be some time before a vaccine reaches our people. Until then, our behaviour (masks, social distancing and hygiene) is all we have to do the vaccine's job of keeping us safe.
We are in control of our destiny, and that of our families and neighbours. The moment we let down our guard (whether on a bus, in a taxi, at the shop or in church) we become agents in Covid's invisible army, helping it to conquer new ground – beginning with our loved ones at home.
Difficult as 2020 has been, and much as we have missed seeing our friends and families as often as we'd have liked, please, good people, ons moet almal vasbyt. What we do now is going to determine our welfare next year.
I'd like to thank the good people who have supported us through 2020's extraordinary challenges, my colleagues in the GOOD movement, our tireless volunteers – and all who have contributed through their votes in by-elections to our rapid growth, even under the cloud of the pandemic.
May all of us enjoy a safe festive season and return to work or school with fresh resolve to starve the virus of new recruits.
Next year, this time, following local government elections, will be better suited to festivities and celebrations.
Best wishes to you and your family for 2021. Aunty Pat.
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