STATEMENT BY BRETT HERRON, GOOD MEMBER OF THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT AND SECRETARY-GENERAL
15 AUGUST 2020
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED NOW TO ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY. THIS WILL REQUIRE DISCIPLINE, STRUCTURAL REFORM AND PRUDENT FISCAL DECISION-MAKING.
South Africans have endured five months of restriction on their lives and livelihoods. The vast majority of us accommodated these restrictions stoically and in the interests of saving as many lives as we could.
Collectively we saved our country, and those who live in it, from a worst case scenario of a health system collapsing under the strain of a surge in infections that we could not treat.
We have lost 11 000 lives too many to a virus that has devasted the whole world. But, our collective resilience has contained the spread of the virus so that we are now seeing a reduction in infection numbers and an improving recovery rate.
For this we must thank the people of South Africa for their solidarity and their resolve despite the unprecedented sacrifices we had to make.
We welcome the move to Level 2 of the risk adjusted strategy and the further opening of economic activity.
The lockdown was required to save lives but has been devastating for the economy and we have seen a decimation of businesses, jobs and livelihoods.
The reopening of the economy is a balancing act between saving lives and saving livelihoods and we are pleased that the science is informing very difficult decisions.
South Africa’s move to Level 2 and increased trade, including tobacco and alcohol sales and inter-provincial tourism, is welcome progress.
There is an urgent need now to address the economic recovery. This will require discipline, structural reform and prudent fiscal decision-making.
We are opening the economy and relaxing personal restrictions at the same time that millions of children are returning to school. There is a risk of a resurgence in infections. We must remain vigilant with mask wearing, social distancing and sanitising so that we avoid a second wave.