The Covid-19 pandemic has forced issues on South Africa’s political agenda that it has long tried to avoid.

Support for the lockdown has evaporated as millions of families face the anxiety of a collapse in income, loss of jobs, and for many, real hunger.

As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, governments have intensified efforts to contain the pandemic by limiting the movement of people and temporarily shutting down parts of the economy.

Democracies are not quick to respond to a new crisis because of the nature of decision-making in a democracy.

Maize theft in the Free State has increased tremendously in the last few weeks, despite the lockdown, and estimated losses amount to millions.

President Ramaphosa should be highly commended for his decisive leadership and rapid action at the start of the coronavirus crisis.