Directors should take the lead in Covid-19 fight

Dr Mike Eric Juru

THE severity of Covid-19 is now widely known, as the pandemic continues to ravage lives and the economy. It is indisputable that we are certainly living in difficult times. We have lost loved ones including family members, workmates, friends, acquaintances and members of our communities.

It is everyone’s responsibility to contain the pandemic, including the corporate world, particularly Directors. Directors are an important player in the fight against Covid-19, as they are corporate stewards, who have to ensure worker safety, protection, and preservation of lives. As leaders, they need to step up and rise to the challenge and provide astute leadership.

The Institute of Directors Zimbabwe (IoDZ) commends the Government on the vaccination roll out which has seen Victoria Falls achieving herd immunity with more than 60 percent of the tourist town’s population vaccinated. The initiative is a positive move to contain and hopefully eliminate the spread of the coronavirus in Zimbabwe.

Some countries have vaccinated more than 50 percent of their population and have since opened up their economies. We are thankful for the Government for making Zimbabwe’s vaccination programme, one of the best on the African continent. This shows the commitment that out leaders have to save lives. Directors should follow the same path.

Accordingly, Directors as leaders are urged to lead by example by complying with World Health Organisation Covid-19 protocols, enforcing the implementation within their organisations through clear policies that reduce anxiety and uncertainty to employees. Further, total support to the Government’s mass vaccination drive will contain the pandemic as the solution is known to be in vaccination. Research and statistics have already shown that the Delta variant is now responsible for up to 90 percent of new infections in Zimbabwe and this variant can only be contained through vaccination. Directors should therefore declare war against this Delta variant and implement strategies to combant this deadly straint.

Social media has proved to be an effective information dissemination tool, but the unfortunate reality is that, it is indiscriminate of truth and foals.

Hence, by their positions, directors are role models, expected to lead in vaccination, masking, sanitising, washing hands with soap under running water, and keeping social distance. Directors should also consider investing in equipment such as sanitiser booths, as well as fumigating offices.

Wherever they are, leaders are under the spotlight in compliance and instituting a culture of compliance at home, as charity begins at home, workplaces, and communities. Directors’ stance on Covid 19 should be unequivocal, as this will go a long way towards saving lives. Profit without conscience is meaningless and goes against the Tripple Ps (People Planet and Profit) and ESG (Environmental Social Governance) principles.

Directors are obliged to save lives, as our homes, communities, and the country are what they are because of the people, who are vital for the businesses and economy to thrive.

The President is on record reminding us to do everything possible to save human life because once lost, life is irreplaceable. Moreover, our human resources are vital for the development and growth of industry and commerce. We have to look after ourselves, our families, and human capital at home. Our workplaces and the communities around us become our obligation as leaders, for nations are made up of people.

Guided by Corporate Governance Principles, we keep encouraging continued transparency and disclosure, the exercise of fiduciary duties by all in dealing with the pandemic.

We continue paying tribute to the healthcare professionals and essential service providers and assure them of our moral support as they help fight this global pandemic. Concerted efforts will yield the desired results. Together we can make a huge contribution for the sustainability of our beloved country Zimbabwe.

Dr Mike Juru is the Chairperson of the Institute of Directors Zimbabwe.