Times Of Swaziland: OK, NOW WHAT?

OK, NOW WHAT?
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By Khulile Thwala on 26/03/2020 23:59:00


I was thinking the other day, how, now more than ever, we need to speed up our
quest for First World status. Our country is still far behind when it comes to
technology and a number of other advancements.
This is because a pandemic such as this one requires major online accessibility.
In First World countries, the idea of a lockdown is far more practical because
there are already systems in place which allow for life to go on regardless of
the absence of the individual. With innovations such as online shopping taking
centre stage, with people being able to purchase their groceries without
stepping foot into a grocery store or supermarket, which might be considered a
breeding ground for the virus.
For First World countries, there are simpler ways of having access to basic
necessities at a click of a button. You honestly wonder how Eswatini would
relatively survive a country lockdown, when we are nowhere near as advanced.
Once the coronavirus has subsided and all normality resumes, we need to go back
to the drawing board and devise ways in which we can quickly make advancements
in this country.
Countries like South Africa have food delivery services in place such as Uber
Eats, which enable an individual to purchase fast-food online and have it
delivered right at their doorstep. This service may seem a bit invasive for
people like me, who attribute some sort of paranoia regarding people handling my
food, but it does make living much easier, more especially when one is required
to remain in isolation.
Deliver
In countries such as the United States of America, online shopping has reached
unimaginable heights, resulting in people fully relying on couriers to deliver
their purchases on their doorsteps, with companies such as DHL thriving in that
country. The post office also remains a top priority in that country due to
package delivery of purchases made by the population, with countries such as
South Africa following suit. Eswatini really needs to take a leaf from these
countries’ advancements. Granted we should probably look into availing broader
internet access; and create awareness on the need for internet education, more
especially in rural areas, where most of them don’t even have access to
WhatsApp.
The use of online applications is also necessary if we are to attain First World
status. As according to BBC, South Korea’s solution to combating the spread of
the coronavirus, after being the hardest hit country after China in January,
included the usage of an online application to monitor arising infections
through self-screening as well as those who are in quarantine after contraction.
This resulted in a decrease of daily infections from a drastic 900 people a day
to about 76 per day.
Breakthroughs
Eswatini has a long way to go, with only approximately 10 per cent of the
population being tech savvy enough to be aware of the lifestyle breakthroughs
brought about by the internet. Businesses in Eswatini have the potential to
thrive if they were to use the internet wisely. With the revolution of online
boutiques taking over the fashion industry worldwide, with online stores such as
Fashion nova, Pretty Little Thing and Missguided taking the world by storm.
It’s time we really woke up to the realities of the world we live in and
focused on the aftermath of the coronavirus. The days of slumber and doing
things at a snail’s pace really need to come to an end. For a country so
small, we ought to start using our resources wisely and quickly implement
projects that will propel us into First World status. With just well over 1.3
million people in this country, it is possible to effectively apply measures
that will elevate us as a country.
With other countries implementing lockdowns and further extending them,
Eswatini’s weaknesses will possibly be exposed should we also be subjected to
three-month long extensions of a lockdown. I’m certain once this has all died
down; the country will really focus on achieving Vision 2022 sooner than the
year 2022. Till next time, God willing.