Ntseki: 'Let's continue to protect ourselves against Covid-19 pandemic'

• Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki urges all South Africans to continue following lockdown regulations.
• Studies show people of colour are at greater health risk when contracting the Covid-19 virus. 
• Ntseki highlights that people from overcrowded and impoverished communities should take extra care in protecting themselves.

Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki has urged all South Africans, especially people of colour to remain positive but to stay safe and protect themselves in battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Football in South Africa ground to a halt on 15 March due to the global pandemic with the country going into a nationwide lockdown on 26 March.

Sport24 reported a recent study conducted in England and Wales showed that black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die from coronavirus as white people.

"In Africa and especially South Africa we know our socio-economic background," Ntseki said. "The Covid-19 pandemic will be a bigger challenge specifically speaking for South Africa.

"For black South Africans and people of colour, it is a bigger threat because of the greater health risks that we find ourselves in"

With inequality rife in South Africa Ntseki acknowledged that it is a greater challenge for a large number of the population to protect themselves by following the health guidelines.

"What I'd like to add is that together we can overcome this pandemic," Ntseki said. "If we stick together and continue to follow the necessary guidelines and health protocols we will be able to overcome this situation.

"When it comes to sports and football, in particular, it's tough on all who enjoy playing sport on a professional and even amateur level and it will be a challenge resuming sport in the current climate.

"I want to say to all South Africans, let us practise social distancing. Even though I know it is tough particularly for our black communities living in the townships.

"You often find families living in overcrowded and small spaces in these areas so it is important for all of us to support each other and to stick to the social distancing guidelines as much as possible.

"Let us wash our hands regularly and also use hand santizer if we can afford it. The most important thing is to stay positive and believe that we'll overcome the coronavirus."

- Compiled by Baden Gillion