Ramaphosa Calls Out Vaccine Nationalism at World Economic Forum

By: Mfundo Mabaso & Bright Ntuli

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government plans to grow local manufacturing and production, and make South African exports much more competitive.

Ramaphosa has been delivering a virtual State of the World Address to the World Economic Forum Davos Dialogues, within the context of the “Great Reset Dialogues”, a new series of Special Dialogues to discuss & determine a post COVID-19 socio-economic order.

He says focus has now shifted to rebuilding the economy and government has provided support to those affected by the pandemic including businesses.

“South Africa will also benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as the country opens for business. We’re going to trade with each other and we hope that the rest of the world will join us,” says Ramaphosa

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Commenting on COVID-19 vaccines, Ramaphosa has expressed concerns about the problem of ‘vaccine nationalism’, which he says unless it is addressed, it will endanger the recovery of all countries.

He adds that ending the pandemic worldwide will require greater collaboration, ensuring that no country is left behind.

Meanwhile, UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, says violence against women is a shadow pandemic that will still exist after the COVID-19 pandemic, unless drastic changes are made.

Many countries documented an increase in reported cases of violence against women and children under hard lockdown.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Mlambo-Ngcuka says the high levels of gender-based violence globally are concerning.

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