Five years post-lockdown: The Covid-19 storm that shattered SA and sparked its strength

March 23 marks five years since South Africa entered one of the strictest Covid-19 lockdowns in the world.

Five years ago, our streets fell silent, schools shut their doors, and the buzz of everyday life was replaced with an eerie stillness. It feels like both yesterday and a lifetime ago.  

For some, the memories of those turbulent days are a faded blur. For others, they remain raw and vivid, like an open wound that refuses to heal. It was a time that tested our resilience, pushing us to the brink as individuals, families, and a nation.

It was also a time that revealed the fragility of life, the strength of community, and the power of adaptation. 

 We were irrevocably changed, but we endured.

From the heartbreak of saying goodbye to loved ones to the silver linings of rediscovering our priorities, the pandemic left no life untouched. For better or worse, it shaped who we are today.  

The pandemic didn’t just knock on our doors; it barged in uninvited, leaving devastation in its wake. Every South African household, directly or indirectly, felt the sting of loss.

By late 2020, funerals became a grim routine many of them virtual, as we said goodbye to loved ones from behind screens. 

But no Zoom call can prepare you for the moment you see someone you love hooked up to a ventilator.  

I’ll never forget the day my mother was admitted to the ICU during the peak of the pandemic. I thought I was prepared and told myself I could handle it. But nothing could have prepared me for the helplessness of watching her fight for each breath.

By God’s grace, she survived. But many families weren’t as fortunate.  

A close family friend lost her mother within weeks of contracting the virus. She left behind three children two still in primary school, and one just starting university. The grief was unbearable.  

My story isn’t unique. It’s one of thousands. Official statistics show that South Africa experienced over 300,000 excess deaths during the pandemic. But behind those numbers were real people, real families, and real heartbreak.  

For those who survived, the grief lingers. The empty chair at the dinner table, the unanswered phone calls, and the milestones that go uncelebrated are all reminders of the lives we lost.  

The economic fallout: retrenchments, foreclosures, and despair  

The pandemic wasn’t just a health crisis; it was an economic tsunami that left millions drowning. Businesses shuttered, workers were retrenched, and homes were lost.  

By the end of 2020, unemployment had surged to nearly 35%, one of the highest rates in South Africa’s history. Small business owners the backbone of our economy were hit the hardest. Some used their life savings to stay afloat, while others had no choice but to close their doors for good. 

Even those in the entertainment industry, often seen as untouchable, weren’t spared. House music legend DJ Fresh called the government’s relief fund of R2 200 per month for artists “carnage”.

Late rapper AKA echoed the frustration, tweeting: “I AM trying to NOT retrench people and I am SELF EMPLOYED. You guys are not going to force me to be grateful for 2k from the government. IT. DOES. NOT. MEAN. SHIT. TO. ME. Okay? Next.”  

For many South Africans, survival meant leaning on savings, family, or sheer willpower. Some recovered. Others are still picking up the pieces.  

Yet, amidst the chaos, there were glimmers of hope. The rise of remote work, online entrepreneurship, and e-commerce gave some people a lifeline.

Take Kayla, for example, a content creator who turned her passion into a thriving online business called Africurl during the pandemic. Her story is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of South Africans during some of our darkest days. 

Mental health crisis spotlight 

If the pandemic tested our physical and financial resilience, it battered our emotional and mental well-being.  

Lockdowns forced us into our homes, and for many, this meant confronting uncomfortable truths about relationships. Divorce rates surged as couples struggled under the weight of job losses, homeschooling, and the stress of confinement.  

For others, the loneliness was unbearable. Elderly parents went months without seeing their children or grandchildren. Friends became distant memories as isolation stretched on and on.  

The mental health fallout was staggering. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reported a 47% increase in calls to their helpline in 2020. People were struggling, and many still are.

Anxiety, depression, and burnout became household terms, and mental health, once a taboo subject, was thrust into the spotlight.  

Rediscovery and growth  

But even in the darkest times, there were moments of light. The pandemic forced us to slow down and reevaluate what truly matters. Families spent more time together. People pursued hobbies they’d long neglected. Communities came together in ways we hadn’t seen before.  

1. Mental health matters

Before the pandemic, people often ignored their mental well-being. But lockdowns showed the importance of looking after emotional health. Therapy, meditation, and mindfulness have become more common, and now more workplaces support mental health.

2. Health is a priority

The pandemic reminded us how important it is to stay healthy. People continue to wash their hands more, take vitamins, exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep.

3. Digital healthcare is here to stay

Online doctor appointments became popular during lockdowns and are still used today because they make healthcare more convenient and accessible.

4. Personal space and hygiene

Even though social distancing is over, people are still more aware of hygiene. Many sanitise their hands regularly, avoid crowded spaces, and wear masks when sick.

5. Financial preparedness

Job losses during the pandemic made people realise the importance of saving money and having backup income. Many now have emergency funds and side hustles.

6. Re-evaluating priorities

People started asking, "What really matters?"

Many now focus more on work-life balance, personal happiness, and spending time on things they love.

7. Adaptability is key

The pandemic showed that life can change suddenly. People learned to be flexible, embrace uncertainty, and develop new skills to stay ahead.

The world may have moved on, but these lessons continue to shape our lives.