The Covid Chronicles

Growth, hope, and positive change

The last episode of our series is dedicated to the resilience shown by so many South Africans – and the sectors that refused to accept defeat. Although most stories about the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown involve hardship, grief, and loss, there were also moments of growth, hope, and positive change.

How COVID-19 broke small businesses

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality for businesses when world leaders announced the new phenomenon of lockdown in March 2020. This episode commemorates the five-year mark to the day when lockdown was first implemented in South Africa. The Jacaranda FM News team explores the impact of these regulations and the lasting impact it had on small and medium enterprises around the country. ....

‘Lockdown hangover’ grief & freedom after COVID

When the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were imposed in March 2020, many South Africans were forced to reckon with their own vulnerability and loss of autonomy while navigating fear and grief during the pandemic. In this episode, the Jacaranda FM News team explores the impact of the lockdown regulations and the lasting impact these had on individual lives and the world as we know it ....

COVID-19: The scars that won’t heal

Five years after the world came to a virtual standstill, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape many lives. The pandemic which changed the way we lived, loved, and lost, left an indelible mark on scores of families in South Africa and around the globe. In this episode, we give voice to South Africans who faced the virus head-on, those who battled for survival, lost loved ones, and are still navigating the healing process in 2025.

Where were you 5 years ago?

South Africans will this week remember the announcement of five years ago that brought lockdown and the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic into our lives. It was the week in March 2020 when we scrambled to buy masks, hand sanitizer, and groceries and prepared for the unknown while confined to our homes. In this first episode of our original mini podcast series, the Jacaranda FM News Team reflects on that initial shock and coping with what was to come …….