Youth Resource COMPASS South Africa
The South African Compass provides vital information for vulnerable and young individuals during the Covid- 19 outbreak. Please refer to the South African Tracker for a more extensive list of shelters and organizations that have created a Covid-19 action plan to help bring relief to the communities and individuals who need it most.
LEVELS
After Thursday 30 April, South Africa begun a gradual and phased recovery of economic activity. This means taking a cautious approach to the easing of current lockdown restrictions.
There will be different provincial, district and metro levels imposed depending on the number of infected cases.This is to ensure that the response to the pandemic can be as precise and targeted as possible.
Level 5: Drastic measures are required to contain the spread of the virus to save lives.
Level 4: Some activity can be allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions required to limit community transmission and outbreaks.
Level 3: Involves the easing of some restrictions, including on work and social activities, to address a high risk of transmission.
Level 2: Further easing of restrictions, but the maintenance of physical distancing and restrictions on some leisure and social activities to prevent a resurgence of the virus.
Level 1: Most normal activity can resume, with precautions and health guidelines followed at all times.
SAFETY
Where can I seek shelter?
The South African Government is in the process of setting up temporary shelters for the homeless, including women, children and vulnerable at risk individuals. The Department of Human Settlements and Housing is in the process of setting up temporary shelters as the majority of pre-existing shelters are full to capacity.
A list of all the pre-existing shelters can be found in the South African Tracker.
Is the child welfare system still operational and can I access help/assistance?
The child welfare system is still operational, as the South African Government deems this as an essential service.
Teddy Bear Clinic
The Teddy Bear Clinic has been very vocal during the nationwide lockdown in South Africa and informing the public of their services throughout the pandemic. Their services includes victim support services, forensic assessments, psychological assessments, therapeutic counselling and support and court preparation and support.
Tell: 011 484 4554 (Office hours only)
Johannesburg Child Welfare
The Johannesburg Child Welfare provides a range of direct services to abused, abandoned, neglected, orphaned and vulnerable children (including those who are infected or have been affected by HIV and AIDS in the greater Johannesburg area).
Tell: 011 298 8500
Other contact numbers operating 24 hours a day
Childline - 0800 055 555 (24 hours)
SAPS - 10111 (24 hours)
What if I have had to run away from my caretaker or family?
You will need to go to the nearest police station or place of safety. Any persons, who leave their house for reasons other than to get food or medication, seek medical help or receive grants, will be not complying with COVID-19 National State of Disaster Act and Regulations.
For access to the Act and Regulations, please click here.
You can also follow this link to find the contact details of your nearest Police Station.
HEALTHCARE
Where can I access health care?
South Africa has a separate public and a private healthcare system. Depending on whether the outbreak has affected a hospital, an individual may have to go elsewhere to receive medical care.
Please refer to the below links:
Primary health care facilities and services in South Africa; and
What hospitals are designated hospitals for managing the Covid-19 cases?
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Gauteng |
Charlotte Maxeke Hospital
Steve Biko Hospital
Tembisa Hospital |
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Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Grey's Hospital |
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Eastern Cape |
Livingston Hospital Address: Lindsay Rd, Industrial, Port Elizabeth, 6020 Tel: 041 405 9111 |
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Western Cape |
Tygerberg Hospital Tel: 021 938 4911 |
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Limpopo |
Polokwane Hospital |
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Mpumalanga |
Rob Ferreira Hospital |
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North West |
Klerksdorp Hospital |
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Free State |
Pelonomi Hospital |
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Northern Cape |
Kimberley Hospital Address: 114 Du Toitspan Rd Tel: 053 802 9111 |
Where can I get tested for Covid-19?
The National Health Laboratory Service, in partnership with the National Department of Health, has rolled out mobile testing units throughout the country; these will go into communities that are far away from places designated for testing. Private testing sites have also been set-up, including nationwide pharmacies, for example, Dischem.
The below testing sites with a ** next to them are subsidized by the government. Please note that the below is a non-exhaustive list.
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Gauteng |
** Charlotte Maxeke Hospital
** Steve Biko Hospital
** Tembisa Hospital |
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Kwa-Zulu Natal |
** Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital 800 Vusi Mzimela Rd, Umkumbaan, Durban, 4091 Tel: 031 240 2794 Mon - Fri 07:00 – 19:00
Pmb Midlands Ground Floor, Midlands Medical Centre, 162-166 Masukwana St, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Tel: 033 2644340 Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00 Sat 08:00-13:00
Teleradio building *Drive through site* 73 Carlisle Street Tel: 031 3086500 Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00, Sat 8:00-13:00
Shelly Beach Shop 7b, Shelly Boulevard Centre, Shelly Beach Tel: 039 6820117/0148 Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00 Sat 08:00-13:0013 |
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Eastern Cape |
NHLS Port Elizabeth Virology Cnr Buckingham & Eastbourne Road, Port Elizabeth, 6001 Tel: 041 395 6120/6126 Mon-Fri 07:00 – 19:00 Sat: 08:00-12:00 |
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Western Cape |
** Groote Schuur Academic Hospital Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 Tel: 021 404 5201/ 021 404 5116 07:30 – 17:00 Hours extended depending on the need.
** Tygerberg Academic Hospital Francie Van Zijl Dr, Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, 7505 Tel: 02 938 9354 06:30 – 9:00 (Seven days a week) |
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Limpopo |
Lephalale Corner Joe Slovo and Drif Street, Shop L 2 Sunset Point Plaza Tel: 014 7631241 Mon-Fri 07h00–18h00, Sat 07h00-12h00
Thabazimbi 13th Avenue Carpe Diem Centre Tel: 014 7721448 Mon-Fri 08:00–17:00 Sat 08:00-12:00
Polokwane *Drive through site* 4A Grobler street, Polokwane Central Tel: 015 2940400 24 hours
Tzaneen 71 Wolksberg Road, Ivory Tusk Lodge Tel: 015 3074849 24 Hours |
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Mpumalanga |
Standerton depot Cnr Kerk & Princess, Central Park number 5, Standerton Tel: 017 71223749 Mon-Fri 08:00–17:00 Sat 08:00-12:00
Urgent Care Unit 10C, Sonmed Suites, Cnr of Madiba Drive & Piet Retief St,Sonheuwel Tel: 013 7459000 Mon–Sat 8h00–19h00, Sun 10:00 – 19:00 |
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North West |
Rustenburg Main Laboratory 102 Kock Street, Rustenburg, 2999 Tel: 014 5978500 Mon–Fri 07h00–18h00, Sat 08h00-12h00
Brits Shop 19 Safari Ctr, Van Velden St, Brits (012)2520308 Mon–Fri 07h00–17h00, Sat 08h00-12h00 |
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Free State |
** Universitas Hospital 1 Logeman Street Tel: 051 405 2834/ 051 405 3162 07:30 – 17:30 (Seven days a week)
Westdene *Drive through site* President Steyn 66, Westdene, Bloemfontein. Mon-Fri 07:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 08:00-13:00 |
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Northern Cape |
Kimberley 39 Mac Dougall St, El Toro Park, Kimberley, 8301 Tel: 053 8364460 for an appointment Mon-Fri 8:00 – 17:00 |
What resources may be available to me in this time of crisis?
The official government toll free call centre:
- 0800 029 999
Clinician's hotline:
- 082 883 9920
The official South African government Covid-19 WhatsApp group:
- WhatsApp the number 060 012 3456 and then say 'Hi' to be added to the group. You will receive a welcome notification and can then select from the menu what type of information you would like.
The Department of Health
- A South African resource portal for Covid-19 has been created, providing access to medical information, news and updates, resources, facts and questions and contact numbers. Please note that this website blocks hyperlinks and you will need to copy http://www.sacoronavirus.co.za/ into your web browser to access it.
- A general tool kit page has been created providing videos on "how to's" including wearing facemasks and what a Covid-19 mobile testing unit looks like.
RIGHTS
What are my rights?
The Regulations under the Disaster Management Act, have not explicitly stated whether an arrest of a child under the age of 18 may be made during the lockdown. It is likely that a child will be taken to a police station where a caretaker or a member of family will collect them.
It is important that you are aware of the laws in place during the nationwide lockdown, this link lists all the laws that the government have issued and is updated regularly:
Can I still access courts if I need to?
Access to courts depends on the Alert level imposed; however, they will remain open to all matters relating to domestic and child abuse, including rape and urgent matters (collectively "Urgent Matters"). Some courts have had infected persons in them, resulting in the temporary closure for a deep clean of the building. Subsequently, persons who have Urgent Matters will only be allowed to access the court once it has been sanitised.
Please click on the click to see the nearest court in your area:
https://www.justice.gov.za/maps/maps.html
EDUCATION
Can I continue my education?
Children in South Africa have a right to free education and the government imposes compulsory education on all children aged between 5 to 18 years old. Given the health crisis, schools have been closed until further notice given by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga (Motshekga).
The Minister of Education has proposed several measures taken in order to lessen the impact Covid-19 has already had on children in South Africa. The Department is working alongside key partners in order to coordinate broadcast support resources comprising of the relevant curriculum in each grade, with a focus on Grade 12 learners. This includes broadcast lessons on television, apps that are freely accessible to learners and broadcast lessons on Community Radio stations throughout South Africa.
Motshekga said that she suspects one of the worst-case scenarios would be slowly phasing in critical grades until June, and having the academic year pushed into 2021.
The expected return date for high school learners have changed depending on the:
- school's readiness to open; and
- location of the school (whether they fall under a hotspot);
Private schools have more autonomy as to whether they will open or not because they are not part of the public sector.
Schools remaining open are subject to strict health and safety protocols and the virus not spreading within them. Some provinces have refused to reopen schools, such as the Western Cape.
The below are some free online learning sites that you can access:
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ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCE PLATFORMS
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Resource platform |
Description |
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This is a free platform, providing massive online learning resources to a global audience.
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* Free for MTN and Vodacom service users |
This provides extensive learning content for grades R to 12.
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* Free for MTN and Vodacom service users |
This is an education technology organisation providing high school math and science practice questions and free online books for students. |
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UNESCO has a useful list of platforms that can provide online learning materials, free books, websites and learning applications for different subject areas. |
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Kahoot has opened up premium resources for free for teachers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. |
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“Wiki for kids” is a great source for children to research subjects such as History, Geography, Maths and Science.
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You can access thousands of picture storybooks in African languages to improve literacy and imagination of children. |
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Here are 17 secondary school courses, at grade 10-12, specially designed for independent study.
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This is a Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies (BLOSSOMS) that has a series of interactive lessons presented in a widely accessible video format. |
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For over 19,000 stories to promote reading amongst kids available in 230 languages. |
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The Department of Education has created an online portal that has links to study material, multimedia and reading material for South African students. |
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Grade 8 to 12 math teaching videos and practice resources are free over the schools shutdowns. Go to https://advantagelearn.com/redeem and enter the following code to get free, open access to all our Grade 8 to 12 math teaching videos and practice resources: EducateDontContaminate |
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Any learner, parent or caregiver in search of educational resources during the COVID-19 lockdown has a “one-stop” Resource Map for educational materials. |
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This resource has allowed their study guides to be free for learners in Grade 11 and 12. |
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Where can I seek emergency services, food and other resources?
All the available emergency services, food and other resources can be found in the South African Tracker.