NATIONAL NEWS - We need to lift all lockdown restrictions as soon as possible to place the country on a path to higher employment and economic recovery, which will only be possible through widespread vaccination.
Those stubbornly choosing not to vaccinate not only pose a health risk, but also an economic risk. You are free to choose – but you are not free from the consequences of your choices.
While we see many debates unfold around vaccination in the media, including social media, we have not seen many that openly acknowledge that the vaccination conversation is, in fact, also an economic one.
As a listed company that has witnessed and experienced the full effect of the past 18 months on our frail economy, we feel it necessary to also bring this side of the debate to light.
Yes, it is now 18 months since the first lockdown, and we are still in uncharted and, perhaps, even more stormy waters. For one, the unemployment rate has increased from 30.1% to 34.4%.
The 4.3% increase means approximately one million more people are now without jobs. Surely, this must frighten all South Africans.
While the political and social complexities that contribute to our high unemployment rate are well known, we also have to acknowledge fully reopening the economy is an integral step in stopping the ongoing erosion of our economy.
It’s an integral step in turning the tide on unemployment – which will help alleviate the suffering of so many of our people and likely assist in preventing social unrest such as the severe looting and burning in KZN and Gauteng.
However, we have the means at our disposal, something that will strengthen government’s hand in reducing restrictions, and that can prevent further economic deterioration. That solution is vaccination.
We need to get the people of South Africa vaccinated as a matter of urgency.
While it took some time, our government has made an enormous effort to step up the vaccination programme. Vaccines are now freely available to the entire adult population of South Africa.
Our main concern now lies with those who actively choose not to vaccinate. Yes, it is an act of free choice, but it is an economically and socially inconsiderate/selfish one with far-reaching consequences.
We simply do not have the luxury of engaging in poorly substantiated arguments on vaccine conspiracy.
Some of these theories are very far-fetched and whoever hold these opinions are denying the evidence of the reality that surrounds them.
We are heading with warp speed towards a place where those who are throwing their right of choice on the table, will see those same rights severely impacted or even taken away by social unrest, weakening economies, death and destruction.
It is quite apparent that those countries that have vaccinated a large enough proportion of their populations have reopened their economies.
The UK is one example where the vaccination percentage is high and the government has done away with most restrictions.
Even though the number of infections has increased, the number of hospitalised patients and the death rate have materially decreased.
