A Bit Of A Breather
YOU South Africa|17 September 2020
Government Covid-19 adviser Salim Abdool Karim took a well-deserved break to celebrate his 60th birthday with his family
- Gezzy S Sibisi
A Bit Of A Breather

A Table groaning with delicious doughnuts, flaky croissants, and enough koeksisters to satisfy his sweet tooth. It may seem a little indulgent for breakfast but it’s not everyday Professor Salim Abdool Karim takes the morning off.

Still, this is a special occasion: his 60th birthday. And if anyone deserves a little downtime, it’s the good prof.

As government’s chief adviser on Covid-19 “Slim”, as he’s known to his friends, has been working around the clock – and he’s the first to admit trying to get a handle on the deadly virus has been a Herculean task.

“Covid-19 is non-stop work because there’s so much to do, and it all needs to be done quickly because the epidemic moves so fast,” he tells YOU.

“If you lose two or three days, it’s just too much. The epidemic will get ahead of you. We’ve really had to pull out all the stops over the past few months.”

With numbers easing somewhat now and evidence that the country has passed its first wave, Salim is finally able to take a bit of a breather. But work is never far from his mind, not even on special occasions.

For his birthday, his children gave him a customized hoodie with #ProfKarim emblazoned on the back. On the front is his catchphrase, #NextSlide – because anyone who’s watched the professor give his updates on TV will know how much he loves a slide.

The kids were clearly having a good-natured dig at their dad’s newfound popularity. The scientist and activist has become a household name, thanks to his calm presence and easy-to-understand explanations of where SA is tracking with the pandemic.

この蚘事は YOU South Africa の 17 September 2020 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は YOU South Africa の 17 September 2020 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

YOU SOUTH AFRICAのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
YOU South Africa

HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST

With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs

time-read
5 分  |
5 December 2024
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
YOU South Africa

SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES

John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love

time-read
5 分  |
5 December 2024
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
YOU South Africa

SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG

A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them

time-read
4 分  |
5 December 2024
LIAM LAID TO REST
YOU South Africa

LIAM LAID TO REST

More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
SHILOH HANGS OUT
YOU South Africa

SHILOH HANGS OUT

THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
LEO IN LOVE
YOU South Africa

LEO IN LOVE

He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down

time-read
3 分  |
5 December 2024
PACKING A PUNCH
YOU South Africa

PACKING A PUNCH

Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it

time-read
4 分  |
5 December 2024
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
YOU South Africa

I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD

As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome

time-read
5 分  |
5 December 2024
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
YOU South Africa

'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'

A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars

time-read
4 分  |
5 December 2024
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
YOU South Africa

THE CLAWS ARE OUT!

Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William

time-read
7 分  |
5 December 2024