Online Reporter
FIGHTING THE WAVE, THE TALE OF HOW A NATION UNITED TO FIGHT A BEAST
FIVE years ago, on March 20, 2020, Zimbabwe reported its COVID-19 case – a person who had travelled back home from the UK, via South Africa, five days earlier.
Three days after the announcement of the arrival of COVID-19 in the country, Zimbabwe reported its first death when television and radio personality Zororo Makamba died.
By the time the pandemic eased, more than 264 215 cumulative cases and 7 670 deaths had been reported.
But, given the wild predictions by many medical experts of an Ammargeddon, this represented a massive victory for the Government which adopted a rough approach against the virus, including enforced lockdowns and a successful national vaccination programme.
By March 10, 2023, there were signs that the storm was over when people from various backgrounds gathered at the Rainbow Towers for the launch of the COVID-19 documentary dubbed ‘Fighting the Wave — How a Nation United To Fight The COVID-19 Pandemic.
“It was almost celebratory as people took to side conversations to recall the successful collaborative work between the Government of Zimbabwe and its partners in fighting the pandemic,” a report on the UNICEF website noted.
“Government officials, UN staff members and the public attended the event that was set to showcase a documentary that recorded voices that took the nation through memory lane since Zimbabwe reported its first COVID-19 case.”
The report noted that by the end of October 2022, Zimbabwe had experienced four major COVID-19 pandemic waves.
The one-hour documentary highlights several response mechanisms that include innovation measures both in terms of funding and production of Personal Protective Equipment locally.
President Mnangagwa, who was the guest of honour at the launch, said the title of the documentary underscored the unity, harmony, love and focus which were critical pillars for Zimbabweans to overcome challenges.
“We are proud as a nation, to showcase the story of Zimbabwe’s journey in mounting a successful national Covid-19 response.
“The Covid-19 pandemic ignited within us a greater sense of self-belief, ingenuity and resilience.
“These are traits embedded in our DNA as a people, born out of the warrior spirit and tenacity of our forefathers which saw them achieving numerous feats such as waging anti-colonial wars and constructing architectural masterpieces like the Great Zimbabwe Monument.
“This national documentary will serve as a reminder to present and future generations of the success story we collectively wrote and the heroic acts we made, against all odds during the gloomy period.”
Five years after COVID-19 hit the country, the comprehensive documentary remains an authoritative narrative of how an entire country came together to confront a monster and, in the end, found a way to limit the damage which it inflicted.
It’s something which was also reflected on a report on the official UNICEF website.
“The one-hour documentary tells the Zimbabwe COVID-19 national response story first-hand reflections by stakeholders involved in the national response, from the President to Government representatives, civil society, community voices and the scientific world.
“The documentary highlights how, through a multisectoral approach, the Government of Zimbabwe led an effective, co-ordinated and robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic, distinguishing Zimbabwe as a leader and fast-mover in the region.
“Lessons learned and key messages highlighted in the documentary include the effectiveness of the high-level country leadership, commitment and coordination of the COVID-19 pandemic response by His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.” — H-Metro Reporter/Herald Reporter/UNICEF
