Coronavirus: How Orania has been affected by the disease – The South African

As we sit within the confines of our homes, lockdown is making us yearn for the gift of time travel. What wed give to go back just by a few months before our fears and anxieties regarding coronavirus manifested themselves. Well, the folks of Orania have managed it because theyre living outside of the 21st century.

The whites-only Afrikaner enclave in the Northern Cape acts as its own entity. Turning its back on South Africas democratic project as apartheid came to an end, the clutch of citizens who still live in the town an estimated 2 000 to 3 000 still pay homage to the system that was labelled a crime against humanity.

But where, exactly, do they stand on the current coronavirus crisis? Are they following the rule of the land which engulfs and dwarfs their humble landscape, or do they simply follow their own advice? Well, in contrast to certain other policies in Orania, its not actually that black and white.

We know that they are observing social distancing, and theyve been taking quarantine measures since the middle of March. Local sewing groups have stitched together masks that people are being asked to wear during the coronavirus crisis. They may have self-isolated from South Africa since the early 1990s, but theyre leaving nothing to chance in the face of a global pandemic.

Not many people leave Orania, and even fewer visit. Their base in the Northern Cape is one of the most remote in the land. But, playing it safe is very much the mantra here. They have even manufactured some of their own hand sanitizers, treating the gravity of the situation with the respect it deserves.

They have published their own set of hygiene guidelines, very similar to those issued by the South African government. An emergency command centre made up of the town board provides regular updates on their preparedness to deal with coronavirus, and how the situation outside of their compound is developing. Gawie Snyman, Ronald Bain, Harry Theron and Frans de Klerk are named as the information-givers.

Those who have shut themselves away on ideological grounds, fearing an outside threat, perhaps never thought the biggest battle of their lives would be related to germ warfare. The communities within communities such as elderly care facilities also receive visits from singers and performers to lift their spirits during times of isolation.

Virtual braais and radio-streamed concerts make up for the lack of open-air activities on offer to the inhabitants of Orania. It hasnt been all fun and games, though. The idyllic image this settlement likes to portray against the backdrop of its controversial origins suffered a slight wobble last week.

A statement shared on the towns official Facebook page stated that one resident of Orania was showing symptoms of coronavirus. Its claimed that they were privately tested while receiving medical treatment. The test came back negative. But the fear factor of COVID-19 remains in place.

An image showing a warehouse full of toilet paper unapologetically boasts about having one of South Africas most treasured commodoties by the pallet-full. Indeed, this desperation to prove something to the rest of the country runs deep.

A local community group posted this message on their social media channels over the weekend Kim Jong-Un would be proud of this purposeful propaganda:

The SAPS came to visit in Orania yesterday to check that everything is in order. Thanks to Oranians discipline, they found nothing that upset them. After the visit, Colonel Jooste said: Thank you to the residents of Hopetown and Orania for your obedience. It goes bad in other towns and cities in the country. I love you all and I dont want you to die.

Work continues in the town: Binmen are seen wearing full hazmat suits and masks, whereas families are now learning how to cope with homeschooling. Pieter Krige, a community leader in this enclave, posts a photo of his two children beavering away at their studies.

It still remains anyones guess as to when normal life resumes both within the gates of Orania and beyond despite our tentative end-of-lockdown date of Thursday 16 April.

Social distancing has always been Oranias thing but they are now faced with keeping themselves apart from each other, without having a say in the matter. Its not business as usual here, nor is it anywhere in the world. And thats perhaps a source of great humility for this unique, often-maligned town.

As much as Orania has tried to isolate itself, the world is too big of a place to stay shut-off from. Society isnt exactly something you can opt in or out of. The looming threat of coronavirus casts a shadow over this region, and although it may only strengthen their resolve to hunker down and keep themselves in exile, one fact is inescapable: The enemy is not, and never will be, your fellow South African.

Read this article:

Coronavirus: How Orania has been affected by the disease - The South African