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South Africa’s lockdown has been extended to the end of April. Globally we are experiencing the largest and most restrictive mass quarantine ever. More than 1.5 billion people – one fifth of the world's population, have been asked to stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus. All South Africans - except emergency workers and essential service providers - are required to stay at home until midnight on April 30. Government has also imposed travel restrictions, shut down airports and completely sealed our borders except for the transportation of fuel and essential goods.
We have now been under lockdown for 19 days. It appears that most South Africans are standing behind President Ramaphosa and adhering to the lockdown. But it’s not easy for the most vulnerable members of society, particularly the homeless, those living in informal settlements and informal sector workers. It’s also been difficult for our frontline health workers tasked with protecting us from this pandemic.
A deserted Gandhi Square in Joburg’s CBD is normally bustling as it is the main central bus terminus for the city’s Metrobus network
Johannesburg, like many cities and towns around the globe, is almost completely deserted. Constitution Hill’s contributing photographers, Lee-Roy Jason, and Zac Modirapula, have been capturing Life Under Corona in Gauteng. The talented team are part of Amacreatives, a Dynamic Digital Movement that seeks to highlight African Creativity in all its mediums and platforms. Their poignant images provide a dystopian glimpse of a world without people. They capture the silent streets of Gauteng amid the lockdown; taxi ranks, freeways and townships once the busiest places, are shown nearly deserted. Tourist destinations and business hubs that used to be packed with people are now eerily quiet.
Here’s what our world under lockdown looks like.
A deserted street in Jeppestown normally buzzing with foreign migrants
This inner city park is usually a hive of activity for young and old during the day
Braamfontein, the cultural and student hub of Joburg deserted at 3pm in the afternoon
4pm rush hour traffic
THE PEOPLE VS CORONA
The images documented during the lockdown by AmaCreatives will culminate in an exhibition THE PEOPLE VS CORONA at Constitution Hill during the Human Rights Festival from 10-13 December 2020 (Covid-19 willing). You can preview more of the exhibition images in the online gallery here.
If you think you have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus, please call the 24-hour hotline on 0800 029 999 or visit sacoronavirus.co.za
