Good turnout of teachers for jabs as rollout of education sector kicks off

After losing four family members — two of them this month — to Covid-19, educator Thandi Nhlapo could not wait to be vaccinated. 

She was the first educator to be vaccinated at the vaccination site at the Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, on Wednesday as the rollout of the vaccination of people in the education sector kicked off.

Though the first day had teething problems, which saw teachers waiting for two hours for the jab, for Nhlapo, a deputy principal at Khomanani Primary School in Diepkloof,  it was worth the wait.

“Last year in August, I lost both my parents to Covid-19. They died a week apart. During that period, I also contracted the virus and it was the most difficult time of my life.

“Last week we were burying my uncle, just a week after we buried his wife. They died of Covid-19 complications. I am on chronic medication and when I heard about the vaccination, I couldn’t wait because I still want to live for my children,” Nhlapo said. 

Another teacher, Nomsa Juqu, 35, from Adelaide Tambo School in Jabavu, said she was anxious about the vaccine at first. “There were a lot of talks about the jab. When I told my children that I was going to vaccinate, they were worried, saying that I will die. I am so relieved that I finally took the jab,” she said. 

Smanga Dube, 52, from Basa Protea Combined School, said like everyone else, he had the fear of the unknown but was relieved that he was vaccinated. 

There was no smooth sailing at the various sites visited by Sowetan as the first day was marred by challenges with the manual registration of people and delays in the delivery of vaccination equipment.

In Makhaya Hall at Zondi, they had to use a tent for the vaccination as the hall still hasto be deep-cleaned after a positive case of Covid-19. 

Basic education minister Angie Motshekga’s spokesperson Hope Mokgatlhe said the first day was a slow start but the turnout was really huge.

“It was mostly about logistical challenges we had in the morning. It was the first day and there were teething problems. We also had to use manual registration but we will go completely digital,” she said.

Speaking during the launch of the vaccination programme at Mngwenya Teachers' Centre in Kanyamazane, Mpumalanga, on Wednesday, health MEC Sasekani Manzini said there were 20 vaccination sites allocated with 177 vaccinators. 

“The aim is to lower the six days given and make it three days. We are also making sure that the vaccination of the elderly is still continuing,” said Manzini. 

Mandla Mabuza, a teacher who is also deputy president of the National Teachers’ Union, said they were relieved that the vaccine had come to teachers. 

“As you would know we have been urging the departments of Education and health to have teachers vaccinated as we call for schools to remain open. We are thankful that they finally heard our call and today marks a good milestone for our members because they have been risking their lives to save academic years since the start of the Covid-19.

“I have also taken my jab and we believe teachers will take this opportunity to save their lives and that of their families and the children at school,” said Mabuza. 

Education MEC Bonakele Majuba, who also took the jab, said: “We are expecting teachers from all regions to be vaccinated...  it's important as we have lost many teachers and learners due to this pandemic. I have taken mine, [and] I’m feeling well.”