How COVID-19 Changed the Lifestyle of South Africans

The COVID-19 pandemic came with challenges, pushing the world into a corner, affecting all countries including South Africa. The pandemic didn’t only bring a health crisis but also radically altered ways of life, work, and business interactions. These changes touched nearly every aspect of daily life in South Africa, from work to schooling and how people spent their free time. In this post, we will explore how COVID-19 changed the daily life of a South African, from routines to culture and mindset.

The Shift to Remote Work

The most noticeable immediate impact of the pandemic was the swift transition to remote work. COVID_ 19 swept across the globe and in South Africa, this meant that although most of us had been tucked away behind traditional office desks, as soon as the lockdowns were enforced many businesses were forced to also operate remotely. In the middle of 2020, Stats SA said that around 23% of employed South Africans were working from home. But this wasn't an overnight transition for everyone — many employees simply didn't have the high-speed internet or at-home workspace required to do it. Remote work, while it had been declared the new normal for a few years before 2020, was thrust upon companies and employees alike with little warning.

Education in the Digital Age

One thing is obvious that the pandemic disrupted face to face classrooms of students into the online world. South African schools and universities were not far behind as they quickly made the move to online platforms. However, this transition further underscored the digital divide in the country with economically-weaker students finding it difficult to attend online classes because of zero mobile or laptop and internet connectivity. The Department of Basic Education reported that over 60% of learners in South Africa were affected by school closures in 2021. The affluent managed to access the online set of tools that were intrinsic to online learning while the dispossessed experienced disastrous consequences in their children's education, thus a potent opportunity for the intervention of government.

Changes in Social Interactions and Family Life

The pandemic also changed the way they socialize and spend time with their loved ones. South Africans were not able to visit friends and relatives physically with social distancing rules being enforced as well as limits on large gatherings. One of the biggest changes was that the family events, such as weddings and funerals, were much smaller (more than half attending via Zoom!). It is also facilitated the increasing use of social media and video calling apps to remain in contact with one another. When restrictions were lifted, there was still a measure of trepidation at the thought of large gatherings and many South Africans began to live lives prioritizing health over socialization.

Health and Hygiene Awareness

The most highlighted difference is in the health & hygiene learning estate. People shook hands and gave each other a hug without thinking twice before the pandemic, but now they naturally keep their distance from others and wear masks when out in public. Sales of hand sanitizers and blow cars soared — people started to realise that being clean mattered more than they ever did. A survey by Ipsos South Africa found 74% of people have started paying attention to personal hygiene since the pandemic began.

Effect on Economy and Employment

COVID-19 delivered a major blow to the South African economy, with tourism, retail, and hospitality sectors hit the hardest. Many businesses shut down, resulting in massive layoffs across the country. Stats SA reported the unemployment rate reached an all-time high in 2021. This was especially bad for the informal sector, a significant employer in South Africa. As jobs were lost, people turned to new ways of earning money, whether by selling products online or starting small home-based businesses.

One of the ways in which the government tried to assist those even more marginalised was to establish a Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, to offer financial relief for further those worst lagging abetted by the pandemic.

Lifestyle and Mental Health

The impact of the virus is also evident in people's mental health. The anxiety and depression rates rose due to the fear of getting sick, job loss, and social isolation. Mental health helplines were ringing off the hook throughout lockdown, with experts and resources under strain. Many people nowadays started taking care of their mental health too, either with meditation, physical exercise or seeking help from a professional as a way to manage the stress caused by what is going in the pandemic.

The Rise of E-commerce

A huge lifestyle change, too, came with the quick growth of online shopping. A number of South Africans turned to e-commerce platforms for food, clothes, and other essentials in the midst of lockdown restrictions. Online retail sales in the country grew by 66% only last year, according to Business Insider South Africa. Although these started as a necessity during lockdowns in many countries, it has soon become an easy habit for most people and the trend of online shopping has only grown not diminished after restrictions were lifted.

Conclusion

In many ways, COVID-19 has transformed life in South Africa and across the world. It pushed people to work and learn online overnight, changed how they socialized, and increased awareness of health and hygiene. While some of these changes may be temporary, others, like the growing use of technology and increased health vigilance, are likely to stay. South Africa, like the rest of the world, continues to adapt to this new normal brought on by the pandemic.