By Francis Quamina Farrier

THE people of many countries in Africa have fought long and bitter wars for their freedom from minority white suppressive governments. Today, those countries are fighting and winning a new war — the attack from the COVID-19 pandemic which is devastating many of the developed countries in Europe and North America. For example, the United States of America with a population of 330 million, has already reached 1,850,000 COVID-19 infected citizens and over 108,000 deaths which is the highest worldwide.

Now, over to three African countries and their battles with COVID-19. In mid-May, the government of Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia) indefinitely extended some restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. That is being reviewed every two weeks. Celebrity football star Ovidy Karturu had already exhorted his fellow countrymen and women to stay at home: “Staying at home means saving lives,” the influential sportsman stated. “So please, people of Zimbabwe, I plead and beg you to stay at home and be prayerful, because only God can save us from the virus.”

Due to the COVID-19, and the present lockdown of the country, Zimbabwe postponed its 40th Independence Anniversary celebrations which were scheduled for April 18. As the Head-of-State, President Emmerson Mnangagwa stated, “I commend the nation as a whole for the manner we have carried ourselves during this national lockdown.” Giving the nation words of consolation and encouragement, the Zimbabwean President added, “Although we are physically separated, we are united in Spirit. The time to celebrate will come.” There are 206 reported infected persons and four deaths of the coronavirus in Zimbabwe which has a population of over 14.8 million. The first death was that of a man who had just returned to the country from the United Kingdom.

In neighbouring Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia) there are 1,060 positive cases of the coronavirus, with seven deaths in that country of 18.3 million. Of note is that the first two deaths were a couple who had just returned to the country after holidaying in France. The third death was that of a man who had just returned from Pakistan.

Addressing the media at a briefing in early May, Zambian Minister of Health, Chitalu Chilufya said, “We are deeply concerned about certain public places such as markets and any other places of trade where waste management, sanitation and hygiene are inadequate.” Then admonishing reporters who function less than truly professional, the Health Minister stated, “I will be happy if you got the other story before you publish, and it is important to balance your stories. I don’t think that you should be getting stories from informers and go wild and publish because we don’t have those statistics.”

At a subsequent media briefing a week ago, the Cabinet Secretary, Simon Miti, made an unexpected announcement; “I wish to inform you that the Minister of Health, Chitalu Chilufya, took a COVID-19 test and the results came back positive.” Some days later, the Hon. Minister dispatched the following tweet to the Nation. “Hello, Zambia. A week in quarantine and just got swabbed again. Swabs done at three-day intervals, till hopefully, a negative comes out soon.” Meanwhile, a second minister of the government of Zambia fell victim to COVID-19. The Minister of Information, Dora Siliya, also tested positive. Both ministers are now in self-isolation.

Former Head-of-State, President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, who is enjoying good health, celebrated his 96th birthday on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Older Guyanese would recall President Kenneth Kaunda’s State visit to Guyana in 1977. Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, who is a trained musician and singer, conducted the Guyana Police Force Band at a concert in the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown. Before his departure, he also visited the Guyana National Service (GNS) Camp at Kimbia on the Upper Berbice River, where among other activities, he planted a tree.

There is much controversy regarding the way the government of Tanzania is handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the controversy has to do with the alleged lack of transparency, which opposition political parties have been questioning. Head-of-State President John Magafuli, is adamant about closing down the country. While its border with neighbouring Kenya to the north was closed for a few weeks, those borders were re-opened last week. It was reported that 50 Tanzanian long-haul truck drivers tested positive for the disease. Minister of Health Ummy Mwalimu, reported that the first person in that country to have contracted the COVID-19 virus was a woman who had just returned from Belgium in Europe. “From the airport, she took a taxi home where she locked herself in a room to self-quarantine, but later called government officials,” the minister stated, adding that, “The woman is now recovering in a Government facility.”

The increase of the COVID-19 in that East African country with a population of 61 million, is now just over 480 with just 21 deaths. However, those numbers are in question. President John Magafuli expressed the view that Tanzania has defeated the COVID-19 through prayer. A very religious country, no churches or mosques were closed since the arrival of the pandemic. It would be recalled that while on a state visit to Guyana, the now late Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere attended Holy Mass at the Brickdam Cathedral in Georgetown every day.

In my research for this article, what I discovered is that African countries took instant preventative measures when the COVID-19 pandemic was announced. I also discovered a music video about the Coronavirus. It is entitled, “Tuleisakamana (Stop COVID-19)” by the popular Zambian entertainer, B’Flow. I have already downloaded and viewed that music video about two dozen times. Remember to wash your hands as often as necessary. Stay safe!