First Take SA

Retailers are running out of stock as consumers rush to buy essentials. As the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in South Africa continues to rise, store shelves are running empty as scores of people rush to buy supplies in bulk. The number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 62 with two possible cases of local transmission being investigated. In Woodmead, north of Johannesburg, wholesalers such as Makro and Pick n Pay Hyper have run out of products such as hand sanitisers and other alcohol based cleaning products.

All ANC conferences including the national general council (NGC) have been postponed. The party says this is as the result of the impact of stringent measures introduced by government to combat the spread of the virus in the country. Atleast about 3000 party members were expected to convene for the NGC in June to review progress in implementing the party's policies

The South African Medical Association, SAMA, has advised its members to refuse to treat patients if they do not have sufficient protection against corona virus. It says their members are concerned about contracting corona virus from their patients. In the wake of the corona outbreak people who suspect they may be infected have been advised to seek medical care immediately. However this exposes health workers to infections.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a National State of disaster in term of the Disaster Management. Ramaphosa made the announcement during his address of the nation as part of the country's fight against the spread of coronavirus, which has now infected 61 people. This followed a special cabinet meeting at the Union Building in Pretoria, to discuss measures to combat the outbreak. Ramaphosa also announced strict travel bans on foreign nationals from high-risk countries, including Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the US, the UK and China

Corona virus will Impacting hugely particularly in the Western Cape which is one of the biggest tourist destination on the African continent. The spill over is that its not only going to be Cape Town but also Mpumalanga because of the game parks and other game lodges that are located there so its going to hugely negative for both urban jobs in the case of Cape Town but also rural jobs in the case of Mpumalanga.

The National Heritage Council together with and the Congress of Traditional leaders of South Africa have urged government to disseminate information about the covid-19 pandemic in all indigenous languages. CONTRALESA says people in rural areas will be worst affected if the virus spreads. This as the number of corona virus cases in country now stands at 61. Contralesa's secretary general Zolani Mkiva says information about the corona virus needs to reach rural areas in a language people understand

The New York Stock Exchange temporarily halted trading when automatic breakers where triggered for the second time in a week after a quick slide after Wall Streets opening Thursday. The Dow Jones dropped 1700 points despite an address last night by President Donald Trump from the Oval Office failed to settle nervous investors amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. Trump announced he would be severely restricting travel from Europe to the United States - a move strongly condemned by European officials.

A report into corruption in the water sector has recommended that all major water related projects undertaken during the tenure of former Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane be investigated. The report found that between 2014 and 2018 the department incurred 4-billion rand in irregular expenditure. The report entitled Money Down the Drain:

With South Africa now treating thirteen cases of the deadly Coronavirus -- an indepth understanding of how the virus is easily transmitted becomes essential. Experts have warned of the devastating consequences fake news has had in relation to the virus. To date, the virus has claimed more than 4300 lives, infecting more than 120-thousand globally.

The future of businesses in Ladysmith in western KwaZulu-Natal is still uncertain as protesters insist that they will continue with demonstrations that has caused much of the town to close down. Protesters took this decision at meetings held in various communities around Ladysmith