Young people met with the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla; Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela, for an honest conversation on COVID-19 vaccines and their opportunities for work, study, and travel in the post-peak of the pandemic.
The youth-led conversation took place at the Tshwane South TVET College in Pretoria West on Friday, 18 February. It served as the official launch of the #KeReady Programme of Action for Young People.
The conversation addressed many issues that have been raised by young people, including the constricting effect the pandemic has had on their freedom. They want the pandemic to be over and are willing to be part of making that happen so that they can regain agency over their own lives.
Young people owning the conversation may lead to increased uptake of the vaccination programme, which could give it an accelerated trajectory.
Lockdown restrictions have affected young people more than older South Africans as it has made opportunities scarce for them to study, work and connect with friends. It has also increased the divide between young people who are well resourced and those who battle daily to survive. As a result, many young people have become angry, anxious and distrustful of authority and society.
To take control of the virus and alleviate its impact, we need as many people as possible – especially young people – to get vaccinated, as youth hold the key to give the country’s programme, massive new impetus.
Coronavirus will not go away Young medical doctor, Busisiwe Kabane, who participated in today’s event as part of a network of young professionals leading this programme of action, said that the country has not seen the back of the Coronavirus, despite the government’s recent leniency on COVID-19 restrictions. On 31 January, President Cyril Ramaphosa adjusted level one lockdown rules to allow schools and businesses to resume normally.
“It is important to understand that the Coronavirus will possibly be around for a very long time. The easing of restrictions means that the average South African has to safeguard themselves from future variant. My intention in today’s engagement with the heads of government is to educate young people on the benefits of the vaccine. I would like to ease their doubts about it. So far, there have been no adverse effects from anyone taking the jab and it has proven to be highly effective against the virus. It has also been found that it will be effective against future variants,” said Kabane.
She added that the vaccine is a modern technology like any other – it is there to benefit our lives.
“Like the smartphone or the electric car, the vaccine is a highly beneficial modern-day technology. It will allow us to return to a normal life.”
Young people must own the conversation
Dr Saira Carim, who is another lead in the young professionals network, said today’s event gave young people the opportunity to own the conversation on COVID-19 and vaccinations.
“It is time for young people to speak and for government to listen intently to their concerns and this is why I think this morning’s event was so significant. We are learning the reasons why some young people are not opting for the vaccine. With such insights, government will be able to adjust the vaccination programmes that will suit the needs of this particular demographic.”
Carim, said the conversation may also get young people to understand that the vaccination has benefits beyond immunity against the Coronavirus.
“It is a ticket to a normal life. Some employers are making it mandatory to get the jab. When it comes to cross-border travel, unvaccinated individuals are asked to quarantine, undergo extra Covid tests and, in some extreme cases, are totally barred from entering a country. Tertiary institutes are upholding mandates by not allocating residence to unvaccinated students.”
The jab and a sense of freedom
With the country opening up, opportunities for employment and education will arise. It is up to the youth to be ready to take these opportunities. It is for this reason that the Minister Phaahla took the opportunity to engage with young people today and get a good sense of where their minds are regarding vaccines.
He understands that efforts by the South African youth to get vaccinated have taken South Africa a step closer to ending the Coronavirus as a pandemic and returning to normal living.
“In recent months, young people displayed a desire for a return to normality. It is clear that they want to finally experience a greater sense of freedom and personal agency that comes with being a young adult in this world. The Coronavirus, in the last two years, had taken this away from them.
“Data shows that despite the young people being a low-risk demographic, they still came forward in large numbers to protect not only themselves but their families and communities as well. This has resulted in less pressure on the health system’s facilities, fewer hospitalisations and a massive decrease in the number of deaths,” said Phaahla.
Higher Education Deputy Minister Manamela said the COVID-19 vaccination is increasingly becoming a crucial aspect of creating opportunities in a young person’s life.
“As government we believe that people will be able to circumvent mandates set out by workplaces or learning institutes. It will allow one to partake in sport and travel abroad as this will surely be a pre-requisite for many Visa applications,” he said.
Manamela added that when it comes to myths around the vaccine, young people are better placed to make a distinction between valuable information and fake news.
“Take the information exchanged in this conversation to you peers who are still concerned and hesitant. And you contribution will also help dissolve the stigma around vaccines and Covid-19,” he said.
Social Development Minister, Bogopane-Zulu, said that young people will get their vaccines if there was mechanisms that prompt behavioural change.
“The moment Covid-19 arrived no one would have thought we would act quickly to curb the virus. That change in behaviour is needed again, this time to allow for the vaccination. What type of South African do we want to see in the present and future and how can we use this moment to make that change? It starts here, with a frank conversation,” she said.
At the end of the conversation, the panel of young doctors and ministers signed a pledge to take responsibility for their own lives by ensuring their general health is sound, and to take care of their loved ones and community.
The conversation between young people and government continues online. Use the tag line @KeReady and #KeReady on all social media platforms and let yourself be heard.
