OUPA NGWENYA: The 70s Group Thom Manthata ranks amongst the shining examples in the galaxy of liberation stars who have served the majority of our struggling people in the various capacities in which he was called upon to serve. He was a man of many hats. He wore each with the diligence of a true servant, fit for the task and trusted to carry out each mission assigned to him to the letter. And, he was a man of deep faith. Amongst the many hats that graced his fighting head, he was: • A renowned teacher at Sekano Ntoane High…

WOMEN have made most coronavirus-related claims for compensation while just under 5 000 healthcare workers have tested positive for Covid-19. Infected healthcare workers As of 30 June 2020, about 4 821 healthcare workers in both the private and public sector tested positive for Covid-19, said health minister Zweli Mkhize. Mkhize updated Parliament on 8 July, revealing nurses have the highest infection rate with 2 473 cases. Doctors account for 377, while community health workers and other health professionals recorded 1 971 positive cases. Mkhize said the majority of infected healthcare workers are from the Western Cape province. “Several interventions have been put in place to address…

Morocco has extended an emergency decree until August 10, giving local authorities leeway in taking restrictive measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The cabinet maintained the decree in force to allow for restoring lockdowns on a region-by-region basis depending on the coronavirus developments. Morocco has unlocked since June 25 most of the economy allowing cafes, restaurants, sports clubs, and other services and entertainment businesses to resume activity at half capacity except in the provinces where infections remain higher such as Tangier, Marrakech and Safi. Domestic travel has resumed, while borders are set to reopen on July 14 to nationals…

EDWARD McALLISTER and JOSIANE KOUAGHEU ON THE morning of April 24, Fritz Takang became so breathless he could barely walk across the cramped cell he shared with 60 inmates at the main prison in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde. That night, he said, he was evacuated with five others to an apartment complex that was being used to quarantine suspected COVID-19 cases. Near dawn the following morning, Takang, 48, heard a fellow inmate in distress in a neighbouring room. With no doctors present, he said, he went to the man's bedside and laid a hand on his feverish forehead. Moments later, the…

PROMIT MUKHERJEE AFRICA could have a COVID-19 vaccine in the first quarter of 2021 if human trials underway in South Africa succeed, a university professor heading the trials has said. The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 experimental vaccine is one of 19 being tested on humans globally in a race to find vaccines to stop a pandemic that has killed more than half a million people so far. It is also being tested in Brazil by Oxford University scientists who are working with British drugmaker AstraZeneca on development and production. "A vaccine could be made commercial as early as the beginning of next…

STAFF REPORTER DAVID Makhura, Premier of Gauteng, Africa’s economic hub, has tested positive for COVID-19. Makhura announced today that he had gone into self-isolation and was working from home. “I am now in self-isolation, in line with WHO protocols and will work from home over the next 14 days whilst monitoring my health,” he said. The Premier explained that he had mild symptoms on Wednesday and decided, as a precaution, to be tested. The Gauteng province with 63 404 infections has become the epicentre of COVID-19. Makhura is the third provincial premier to test positive. The others are North West…

SHABIR MADHI, Professor of Vaccinology and Director of the MRC Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand There isn’t enough clinical research being done in Africa. Less than 2.5% of all clinical trials in the world are done on the continent. This is why South Africa’s involvement in one of the COVID-19 vaccine trials is so important. The country’s effort is being led by Professor Shabir Madhi. The Conversation Africa’s health and medicine editor Ina Skosana spoke to him about the process, and what can be expected. This is an edited version of a podcast, which you…

STAFF REPORTER SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid a warm and glowing tribute to the Queen from one of the country’ biggest and powerful royal families - Her Majesty Queen Noloyiso Sandile, Regent of the Royal House of the amaRharhabe.  Queen Noloyiso (56), widow of the late King Maxhobha Sandile, died from a COVID-19-related illness.  Ramaphosa described the late queen as ‘a bastion of traditional values and an inspiring and principled leader of her people.’  “Queen Noloyiso played a significant role in the affirmation of traditional values and leadership in South African society at large, and in the development…