A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, life has changed considerably, but what has remained the same is the spirit of resilience of Capetonians and South Africans.

We’ve seen the human spirit stretch and grow to demonstrate great compassion for each other. I am grateful to the residents and NGOs/organisations who have supported the City’s efforts to reach out to those in need.

The City has spent R39 million on a major food relief drive since the start of the pandemic last year, including grant-in-aid funding to registered NGOs, Public Benefit Organisations and Non-Profit Organisations, among other food distribution initiatives.

Celebrating freedom in a unique way

Of course, the national lockdown may have had an impact on freedom in the physical sense, but celebrating freedom in today’s context means showing awareness and compassion to our fellow residents; it means respecting each other by adhering to the national lockdown regulations to limit a third wave of Covid-19.

Freedom means having access to a vaccine for the protection of our loved ones, so we can return to a sense of normalcy as soon as possible.

Along with this freedom is selflessness. The clearest example of this is reflected in the life of the late former President Nelson Mandela and all other struggle veterans for their sacrifices in helping to reach a democratic South Africa.

Let us continue to be selfless by practising social distancing and good hygiene habits for the benefit of friends, family and loved ones. We need all of your efforts to limit the third wave of infections. We appeal to you to stay vigilant as we have not yet left Covid-19 behind us.

This Freedom Day, let compassion and selflessness continue to be a guiding light.

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