President Cyril Ramaphosa Ukraine

A photo of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa Image: GCIS/ Flickr

SONA 2022: ‘I wouldn’t be here if not for vaccine’ – Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa said that he might not have made it to SONA 2022 without the vaccine, having suffered with symptoms in December last year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa Ukraine

A photo of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa Image: GCIS/ Flickr

During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he may not be standing up on the podium at the Cape Town City Hall had he not received the vaccine prior to becoming infected with COVID-19 in December 2021. 

Ramaphosa tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time since the virus first landed on South African shores back in March 2020, and his second bout with the potentially deadly virus left him feeling decidedly unwell. 

SONA 2022: Ramaphosa provided vaccine update  

Commenting on South Africa’s progress regarding the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, Ramaphosa said that he was pleased that some 30 million doses have been administered to a reluctant public. 

He insisted that the best way to combat COVID-19 is to get yourself vaccinated, and said that he himself can vouch for the ability of the vaccine to stem some of the more severe symptoms of the virus. 

“A significant number of South Africans have been vaccinated which is a milestone that many countries in the continent have not yet achieved yet,” he said. 

“Vaccines are the best defence against COVID-19, and I can attest to that on a personal level.”

‘Vaccine targets must be reached’ 

Ramaphosa said that the State of Disaster laws that govern the implementation of lockdown regulations may soon come to an end, but maintained that these decisions will continue to be made based on vaccine mandates. He said that guidelines for the new laws will soon be implemented under the National Health Act instead.

“If we all get vaccinated, continue to observe basic health measures and remain ever vigilant, we will be able to get on with our lives even with the virus in our midst,” he said.

A total of 30 397 806 vaccines have been administered as of 9 February 2022.