In South Africa, compulsory vaccination divides

Thabisle Khlatshwayo, a South African volunteer, getting ready to receive a vaccine against Covid-19 being tested in Johannesburg, November 30, 2020 © AP / Jerome Delay

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

A team has been set up by the government to discuss its application with all stakeholders: civil society, businesses, trade unions.

The announcement was made on Sunday evening, November 28, during a televised address by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Johannesburg,

Romain Chanson

The South African Head of State sees it as a tool to combat vaccine hesitation when only a little over a third of the adult population is vaccinated (36%).

According to the first elements unveiled by Cyril Ramaphosa, it would be necessary to be vaccinated to carry out certain activities or to access places.

“ 

We understand that the introduction of such measures is complex and difficult.

 So spoke Cyril Ramaphosa Sunday after opening the way to compulsory vaccination.

The South African president was anticipating an outcry.

However, if the measure is only at the embryonic stage, it is in fact already arousing resistance.

This is the case with the Democratic Alliance, the first opposition party which prefers to convince rather than to coerce.

Resistance is also appearing on the side of the public service unions, in particular the police.

Vaccination rather than re-containment

The government can however count on its ally, Cosatu.

After being against compulsory vaccination, the largest union in the country turned around and lines up behind this measure with the argument: vaccination rather than new confinement.

In fact, compulsory vaccination is already in effect on several university campuses and in large companies.

This is the case with Discovery, the largest insurer in the country.

In less than three months, 94% of its employees were vaccinated.

A success that could serve as an example for the government.

►

To read also:

Covid-19: South Africa feels punished after its revelations on the Omicron variant

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • South Africa

  • Coronavirus

  • Cyril Ramaphosa

  • Vaccines