It's not a death sentence, this too shall pass. This is what South Africans are learning daily about Covid-19.
While nearly 1 000 people have lost their lives to the virus that has ravaged the country, and the world, thousands more have recovered.
From medical professionals to sportsmen and ordinary citizens, the virus doesn’t discriminate.
There might not be a cure yet but there is hope, survivors tell us. They’ve lived through it – and they believe many others will too.
THREE weeks after attending the funeral of a relative, Sivuyile was shocked to discover several mourners had been infected with the coronavirus.
“We were told six members of that family had tested positive,” he says. “More terrifying news started to spread, including reports that a lot of people who were at that funeral had passed on, not knowing they were infected. I knew I needed to get tested before it was too late.”
Even though he was asymptomatic, Sivuyile worried he might have infected people without knowing he had the virus. “I tested on a Saturday, then on a Tuesday I got my results, I tested positive.”
Having seen the Covid-19 death toll climb around the world, he couldn’t help thinking the worst.
“I was so scared when my results came back positive,” he tells us. “I told myself this is the end of my life. I thought I was going to die. But at the same time, I was also worried about my siblings, as I am the breadwinner. A lot of things were running through my mind.”
Denne historien er fra 18 June 2020-utgaven av Drum English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra 18 June 2020-utgaven av Drum English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Homegrown Heroes
Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa
The Big Clean Up
Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets
I'm Back & Better!
Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon
Not An Easy Ride
Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent
‘They Lived For Each Other'
This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too
Stranger Than Fiction
For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold
I Was Raped By A Pastor
His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out
My Fight With Life And Death
More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience
I AM ENOUGH
Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest