The Paradoxical Effects of Uncertainty: A perspective of South Africa’s Risk Adjusted Strategy on COVID-19

Abstract

The emergence of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 which causes the COVID-19 disease was on 11 March 2020 declared a public health pandemic by the World Health Organization since it threatens human life and livelihood. Covid-19 which originates from China has stretched across nations globally from the end of 2019. In administering public policy of affected countries each government has adopted a counter strategy of containing this biological outbreak. The consequential effects are restricted movements on socio-economic activities. Thus, this paper provides theory development of a cross-disciplinary study drawing upon insights from literature on uncertainty and disaster risk management that is integrated with system theory, adaptive systems and practices as well as decision-making philosophy. That provides a basis for exploration of international perspectives on disaster risk reduction methods to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Following, this paper explains the formulation of the South Africa’s Risk Adjusted Strategy. The collected scientific data and associated information enable risk analysis experts and key stakeholders to empower political decision-making in strategy execution. The anticipated strategic interventions are to alleviate a debilitating socio-economic situation by public policy and adaptation strategies towards a return to socio-economic normalcy. However, the potential paradoxical effects of COVID-19 are expected to create an ambivalent attitude to strategic interventions and decision-making by authorities. Thus, this paper seeks to explore the theoretical and practical ramifications of the systemic change and adaptable disaster risk strategy of South Africa within the context of disaster risk management and under extraordinary situations of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The dynamics and uniqueness of semigration to hermanus from across South Africa

“…Other non-pharmaceutical interventions included the wearing of facemasks, handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand-sanitizer, and social distancing. The government thus attempted to strike a balance between the preservation of social stability and economic relief (Makokoane, 2021). Unfortunately, Covid-19 exposed structural weaknesses in the South African economy and disproportionately impacted poor, vulnerable households, and the youth of society, as they absorbed most of the initial shock and were pushed into food insecurity.…”