“This year has certainly not been a normal one. But then again, as science journalist Ed Yong elegantly put it: “Normal led to this (Covid-19).”
DURBAN DATELINE:
AS SOUTH AFRICA – under siege of the scourge of the deadly coronavirus pandemic surge – battles monumental odds on all fronts – including a huge backlog of the vaccination roll-out, shrinking cash reserves and Covid-19 crooks and scammers – a medical scientist quits his advisory role-playing with government, the menacing third wave threat over the upcoming Easter long holiday weekend could set back the country’s gains and put the nation back to square one – all in the same boat a year ago.
Though coronavirus will leave a lasting legacy of deep pain, suffering and socio-economic devastation, the Covid-19 milestone was greeted with a casualty rate of: • 52 372 deaths – thousands more of other causes in 2020-21. • 1 540 009 coronavirus infection cases. • 1 466 595 recovered cases. • 93.8% recovery rate after 1 412 015 beat coronavirus since the outbreak. • 15 388 healthcare workers vaccinated.
Ahead of the Good Friday-Easter Monday recess, KwaZulu-Natal is the hardest hit of the nine provinces, with 14 736 people currently infected, amidst fears of a sharper spike over the super-spreading from the partying to religious gatherings. Surprisingly, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, has called it a day, saying a year ago the health minister appointed him “out of the blue” as co-chair of the ministerial advisory council on the Covid-19 campaign.
On the growing death tolls, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, told the nation: “We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased patients.”
Before we pay tribute to all those who lost their lives to Covid-19 related complications or otherwise, the libertarian in me was stunned to watch footages on BBC World News of stick-wielding Indian police brutally beating up workers trekking home during New Delhi’s first hard lockdown: India’s biggest, sweeping lockdown unleashed the biggest exodus of millions of workers, stripped off jobs, and without food, water or transport, trekked to their villages, begging the question: was there a lack of Covid-19 planning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu government or was the giant democracy caught napping? Weeks before Covid-19 changed normal to abnormal, I delivered two eulogies – in Johannesburg and Durban – and hundreds of deaths later, and I also chronicled the death of my friend, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. I shared words of strength and succour with his adopted son, Ishwar Ramlutchman, aka Mabheka Zulu, who was hospitalised on a ventilator after contracting coronavirus.
So let’s click back and look at some of the deaths recorded on the pages of the plague:
Gonam ‘’Baby’’ Naidoo (25.4.1941-16.3.2020):
A long-serving cut-make-trim specialist in the clothing industry of Merebank, who married to soccer stalwart and golfer Samson Naidoo, the mother of four was cancer-stricken in later years. She passed away, aged 79, on the eve of the first Covid-19 lockdown and funeral protocols. Her family honoured her with a memorial in Morningside.
Ronnie Chetty: (21.11.1955-1.3.2021):
Born in bustling Mayville, Chetty, 66, in his final hours passed away in his family’s home-town of Chatsworth, having lived in Phoenix. Chetty was a legend in the hospitality industry: as a coach driver at CJ Tours, he transported tourists across Africa. He delivered millions of bottles and cans of soft drinks for his company. A sprint ace athlete in his school days, he did not follow his brothers’ football footprints – Cyril Deva, famously a FPL pro striker at Verulam Suburbs, Julian, Shane and Sweety. ‘’He treasured all the goodwill letters tourists posted to him when he ferried them to the holiday hotspots,’’ said Deva.
John Christie:
Veteran attorney Ebrahim Moolla has described his fallen colleague, who died at midweek, as ‘a distinguished property attorney and notary public’’, quoting a 1624 John Donne poem as a homage.
Paul David: (1941-12.8.2020):
Born Devdas, the world of politics and the anti-apartheid movement lost him as one of many stalwarts, who succumbed during this darkest year. David was a renowned pro-deo/pro-amico attorney and sports leader. His legend is that he was the last of the British Consulate Six, who were holed up at the UK consulate in Durban’s Field Street in 1984 – an event that stunned the world and global capitals. He, too, died disillusioned with the corruption and decay in a democracy he gave his life for as a detained and tortured activist. Collecting an award at Lotusfm SABC studio, he recalled: “Marlan Padayachee is the only journalist we trusted. When I went underground, he wrote a story in the Sunday Tribune Herald that I was missing… at a time when security branch police had kidnapped anti-apartheid activists.”
Charm Govender (1961-22.3, 2021):
Born Pathasarvasvaran Samotharan, and in death on Human Rights Day, the husband of ANC-MPP Maggie Govender (nee Dhavendran), received more accolades than during his years as an ardent loyalist of the ANC-Natal Indian Congress era. He kept a low profile, humble in nature and could be described as a quiet revolutionary. He was a photographer and got involved in back room work and was credited for his intellect and organizational skills as a community activist. From Grey Street, he ferried messages, copy text plus photographic inputs to me as the coordinating editor for the 100th anniversary of the Natal Indian Congress – a special supplement. The ANC, which paid tribute, decked out the hall in its colours for his dignified funeral in Kharwastan, Chatsworth. Senior leaders, some recognising his role in Umkhonto we Sizwe intelligence gathering, described him as “remarkable comrade, very humble, quiet-spoken who did not seek fame or glory’’ for his activism in the background. The wife-husband team contribution to social justice and democracy were rewarded with jobs by the pro-cadre-deployment ANC.
Valayathum ‘’Krish’’ Padayachee (16.12.1946-21.1.2020):
Relocating from Merebank and Lotus Park to Lenasia South, Johannesburg, during Durban’s jobs recession, the former goalkeeper at Young Marines FC and factory shop floor all-rounder went back to the catering business with his wife Priscilla (nee Govender). They made a big success of a thriving business, also regularly providing free meals and soft drinks for the church and jobless people. During his death anniversary, his family delivered hot meals and beverages to the community during the economic challenges of Covid-19. Finally, cancer took the life of Padayachee, 74, not before he kept the dreaded disease at bay. A dint of hard work has blessed the couple with overseas flights and cruise-liner trips and graduate grandchildren.
Hamba Kahle, (go well, farewell in isiZulu)– MARLAN PADAYACHEE – MapMedia GreenGold Communications. marlan.padayachee@gmail.com
