# Political party leaders pledge to pursue a non-partisan approach towards containing Covid-19

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/2020/03/19/political-party-leaders-pledge-to-pursue-a-non-partisan-approach-towards-containing-covid-19/
- Published: 2020-03-19T11:00:59+02:00
- Author: dearSA

![](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20191130/Screenshot-
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South African political party leaders, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, have pledged
to put aside their differences and pursue a consorted, non-partisan approach towards
containing the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Ramaphosa and leaders of opposition parties made the announcement on Wednesday following
a meeting in Cape Town, where all the parties discussed the nation’s response to
Covid-19.

The president said this would be part of the wide-ranging consultation process that
he is currently engaged in, after announcing a national state of disaster on Sunday
night.

According to Ramaphosa, all the parties vowed “to limit all political gatherings
and keep any meetings to fewer than 100 people”.

This falls in line with the measures the president declared during his national 
state of disaster announcement to limit the increase in Covid-19 infections.

“We are not helpless as a country, all citizens can play a role towards ensuring
that the spread of this virus is limited. All political parties must also bear the
responsibility of giving citizens regular and accurate information pertaining to
the virus,” said Ramaphosa.

The president made it clear that the country finds itself in an “extreme situation
requiring extraordinary measures”, adding that “it requires that all South Africans
work together in unity and solidarity, in partnership and cooperation”.

“It is therefore both appropriate and significant that the 14 political parties 
in our Parliament stand together, across party political divides, to fight this 
disease. We hereby demonstrate practically that we are united as the leaders of 
our nation to overcome this global crisis facing our country and our people.”

He added that during the course of their discussions, the parties had agreed that:

 * The severity of the Covid-19 threat requires an exceptional response that draws
   on all the resources and capabilities of our nation. Such response needs to be
   immediate and sustained;

 * Overwhelming concern must be for the health and wellbeing of all South Africans,
   particularly the poor, the elderly and the vulnerable. The actions taken and 
   the decisions made must be informed by this imperative’

 * While Covid-19 poses a great threat to our nation, we are not helpless. There
   is much we can do, as a country and as individual citizens, to slow the spread
   of the disease, to save lives and improve health outcomes, and to bring the epidemic
   to an end. Every person, institution and grouping has a role to play in combating
   this disease;

 * An effective popular campaign against this disease depends on the provision of
   regular and accurate information to the public, and access for all to screening,
   testing and treatment. It demands transparency and accountability from the responsible
   authorities;

 * An effective response also requires heightened levels of personal responsibility
   on the part of citizens. This includes personal infection control measures such
   as regular hand washing, avoiding public gatherings and maintaining a distance
   from other people;

 * Personal responsibility also means that we should avoid behaviour such as unnecessary
   physical contact or excessive alcohol use, which increase the chances of infection.
   We should be alert to disinformation, rumour and fake news, and ensure that we
   do not disseminate it;

 * Citizens are called on to refrain from making excessive purchases. It is important
   to understand that the supply of goods remains continuous, supply chains remain
   intact, and there is no need for stockpiling of any items;

 * All social partners – specifically government, business and labour – need to 
   jointly develop and implement measures to mitigate the economic effects of Covid-
   19. Companies in distress need to be assisted and jobs and livelihoods need to
   be preserved.