As the number of COVID-19 fatalities in South Africa continues to rise, so does the despair of not being able to hold traditional burials . The Muslim community is no exception, with the virus claiming at least 59 lives in the Western Cape alone, with 95 deaths nationally. The increased price of the funeral services has also raised some eyebrows. Speaking to VOC on Tuesday, independent undertaker Yaghyah Canfield explained […]
The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) on Saturday approved international travel for South Africans working and studying abroad. The country’s borders were closed with all international flights halted in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. But in a statement on Saturday, the Department of Home Affairs said South Africans would be permitted to leave the country for work, study, family reunions, to take up permanent residency, or to receive […]
The Department of Health on Friday said that 28 more deaths had taken the national coronavirus death toll to 397, with the total number of cases now at 20,125. The Western Cape remains the epicentre of the outbreak with 64% of the cases while it also had the most fatalities, with 257. Gauteng has 2,521 cases and 29 deaths. The department said that the total number of recoveries to date […]
Parents all over the country have responded with mixed reaction to the government's decision to allow the first group of children to return to school from next month. In less than two weeks, grade 7 and grade 12 pupils will go back to their classrooms but under strict rules. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said no parent would be forced to send their child back to school during the COVID-19 […]
With concerns that the Western Cape is yet to see the peak of coronavirus infections, the City of Cape Town is preparing individual graves to ensure a dignified service to the immediate family. While the demand for the burial of COVID-19 victims is still manageable, the city council said it wants to prepare adequate burial space should the number of deaths rise. Under normal circumstances, there is an average of […]
As the country rushes towards an anticipated spike in Covid-19 cases, the Western Cape's largest hospital is already under pressure, with a need for more nurses and many of its ICU beds occupied, according to staff who spoke to News24. As the province continues to account for well over half of the national number of coronavirus infections, Tygerberg Hospital is already under pressure. Doctors and medical staff at the state […]
South Africa has recorded its first neonatal mortality related to COVID-19 as cases increased to 18 003. In a statement, the Department of Health announced 27 more deaths, bringing the total national deaths to 339. Among those who died are a two-day-old baby and a healthcare worker. “Sadly, we have recorded the first neonatal mortality related to COVID-19. This was a 2-day-old baby that was born prematurely and therefore, had […]
The Covid-19 death toll rose to 312 on Tuesday after 26 more people were confirmed to have died from the virus, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said. The Northern Cape has reported its first death. The number of cases rose by 767 to 17 200, with the Western Cape still being the epicentre with 10 639 cases - accounting for a massive 61% of the country's total cases. The Western Cape […]
The Legal Centre for Arab Minority in Israel (Adalah) has filed a petition against Israeli authorities requesting that they offer proper protection for Palestinian prisoners to protect them from COVID-19, Al-Rai Al-Youm news website reported yesterday. According to the paper, the petition was filed to the Israeli Supreme Court against the Israeli Prison Services, Interior Ministry and Health Ministry and called for affording protective measures that prevent the outbreak of […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
