OPINION: Pandemic is a warning we should respect nature

Sports reporter Lonwabo Marele

Nature is saying something to us, and we have to listen.

We take and take from her daily without considering the consequences it leaves on our planet. We forget that we are on borrowed time while she remains for future generations.

Now, she is reminding us who is in charge.

We have seen a lot of battles between people, whether it is political warfare, fighting for land, natural resources, a share of the economy, technology or science, and much of it has come at the expense of mother nature.

We tend to forget, as much as we want to progress as humans, we still have a role to play in acknowledging nature’s existence, by living in a sustainable way.

She warned us with climate change, she warned us with the water crisis, and she is warning us with this virus.

We have seen the world come to a standstill due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

And now, it’s in our backyard.

Two weeks ago President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national 21-day lockdown.

As much as it has had a bad impact on many businesses, the lockdown is necessary for our health and survival.

We have to put our differences aside and work together.

It aches to see our lives disrupted, however, for us to get back to our normal routines, we have to adhere to the rules.

And for now, it means staying at home. We were able to unite and each play our part through the water crisis. We can fight through this pandemic too.

Our doctors, nurses, petrol attendants, supermarket workers, officials, journalists and other essential workers are out there, risking their lives, to provide us with services. We owe them a great deal of gratitude.

It was sad to see looting of shops at some malls.

Even if people were stealing much needed food, it is wrong and also not worth being caught and spending years in prison for it.

As sports enthusiasts, we are sad to see sports, including the Tokyo Olympics, major rugby and football events, the Bayhill under-19 Premier Cup tournament and many other events postponed, but, we need to have patience to get through this pandemic.

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in isolation. When he came out, with the help of many of our struggle leaders, they were able to give us hope, hope for a country that we can call home.

We are not perfect, but for a better tomorrow, the message is simple, let us play our part for our unborn generations.

Look after our earth. Look after our brothers and sisters. Look after ourselves. Together we can. Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika.