Nyakallo Tefu
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national day of prayer ahead of the country’s 21-day nationwide lockdown.
Ramaphosa called on citizens to observe two-minutes of prayer, reflection or silent meditation as from 18:00 to 18:30 on Thursday evening.
“These are challenging times. We are traversing a path we have never travelled before,” said Ramaphosa in a statement.
“There are many amongst us who are fearful, uncertain and vulnerable. I call on our people to offer a prayer and a thought for the protection and healing of our land and its people from this disease.”
Ramaphosa said this is the moment when South Africans needed to act together as one patriotic nation in solidarity with all those affected or impacted by COVID-19, not just in South Africa but around the world.
The decision to have a national day of prayer was made after the president met with interfaith leaders who expressed their support to assist in containing the spread of the virus.
“In observing this National Day of Prayer we also want to send a message
of hope to our brave and patriotic health care workers who are on the frontline
and helping to save lives, with our emergency personnel, police, traffic
officers and military, and with all those who are working tirelessly to keep us
safe, healthy and alive”, said Ramaphosa.
South Africans are being urged to follow the rules and stay at home during the lockdown.
