PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night led a candle lighting ceremony at the Khayelitsha Hospital in Cape Town to commemorate the lives lost through COVID-19 this year.
The ceremony was attended by prominent faith-based leaders, health workers and the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
This comes as the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in South Africa, forcing government to enforce tighter lockdown regulations and restrictions this week.
“I could not think of a better place to come and end the year 2020. 2020 has been the year from hell,” said Ramaphosa.
“We bow our heads and we also bow our knees to our health workers. We can never thank you enough. Many of you are infected or come out of isolation. You still came back to work and serve for the people of South Africa. You are a true inspiration. You have given us courage to go on.”
“When I saw how the health workers of our country kept going. We humbly apologize for not giving you PPE and protection you deserve. But tonight is about thanking you and honouring you. We also remember those who have fallen and lost their lives. I declare 2020 as the Year of our health workers.”
Reuters reports that many South Africans will swap firecrackers for candles to mark New Year’s Eve amid COVID-19 restrictions including a nighttime curfew.
Instead of ushering in 2021 at packed events with dance music and fireworks, many South Africans are responding to the President’s call to light a candle to honor those who have died in the pandemic and the health workers who are on the frontline of battling the disease.
“This year has been very tough for most people, and it hit too close to home for me when I lost my aunt,” said Lieschen Burger, who said she will be spending a quiet night at home with her family.
She said they will pray that 2021 will be a better, healthy year for all.
South Africa’s current resurgence of the coronavirus is fuelled by a new, more infectious variant.
The country announced a record high of 17,710 new cases and 465 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total cumulative number of cases to more than 1,039,000, including 28,033 deaths.
With hospitals reaching capacity, the government this week reintroduced strict measures including bans on the sale of alcohol and public gatherings.
Urging all South Africans to battle the virus, Ramaphosa called on the nation to celebrate New Year’s Eve in a different way.
“Let us each light a candle in memory of those who have lost their lives, in tribute to those on the frontline who are working tirelessly to protect us from harm, in appreciation of the great sacrifices that have been made this past year, and in the confidence that the year ahead will bring health, peace and hope to our people,” an emotional Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation that he called a “family chat.”
The president said he would light a candle in Cape Town at midnight.
Annual New Year’s Eve celebrations have been canceled, including Johannesburg’s annual raucous dance party that attracts thousands. Instead, the mayor of South Africa’s largest city will light a candle on the landmark Nelson Mandela Bridge.
Beaches where crowds usually gather on New Year’s Day have been closed.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize will broadcast a candle lighting ceremony from a hospital in Durban.
Johannesburg resident Lieschen Burger not only lost her aunt to COVID-19 in August, she learned Wednesday that her sister-in-law’s father had died after contracting the disease.
“I have seen so many people’s lives change this year and I hope 2021 will be much better,” she told The Associated Press.
Riva Reddy said he had lost his job in the transport industry.
“I have not had an income since the lockdown (in April). My wife is the only one earning an income and that is not easy on the family,” he said. “I have started selling curry, rice, and samoosas just to make some money.”
At midnight he will light a candle with his family and pray for everybody who has suffered from the pandemic.
“When I light the candle tonight,” he said, “I will also be praying to get a job in 2021.”
(SOURCE: Additional reporting by Reuters)
