The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the weaknesses inherent in the social infrastructure of African states, especially healthcare and social security systems. African states were characterized by a high level of unpreparedness with scientific and technological insufficiency to address the pandemic emergency. This in turn worsened the impact of COVID-19 on all fronts, thus, many African states experienced issues with high mortality rate, rampant job losses, and arbitrary and erratic state responses. Social and Ethical Issues of Global Pandemics: A Southern African Perspective edited by Masake Pilisano Harris and Richard Obinna Iroanya argues that pandemics deepen inequality margins with grave social, legal, and ethical consequences in Southern Africa and beyond. Through empirical and theoretical research, Harris and Iroanya analyze the regulations that were passed during COVID-19 and evaluate the impact and legality of these regulations. The contributors provide information that will help authorities and society appreciate the extent of the effects of the pandemic and its control measures on people's ways of life in the post-COVID era and beyond.
Masake Pilisano Harris is acting dean for the Faculty of Human Sciences at the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Richard Obinna Iroanya is associate dean of the School of Military Science at the University of Namibia.
Preface Introduction by Iroanya Obinna Richard & Masake Pilisano Harris Chapter 1: The Impact of Mitigating Measures for Covid-19 on the Rule of Law and Democracy in Namibia by Frieda Omagano Shifotoka & Masake Pilisano Harris Chapter 2: Ethical Leadership in the Namibian Criminal Justice System: Is it a Fact or Myth? by Awarab Marvin Chapter 3: Use of Force During Covid 19 Pandemic: A South African Perspective by Malematja Stanley & Udochu Eke Chapter 4: Civil Military Relations and Internal Security: Question of Ethics and Security by Kaumba Kennedy Mabuku & Masake Pilisano Harris Chapter 5: Security Sector Governance During the State of Emergency and Covid-19 in SADC by Helao Tuhafeni Chapter 6: The Impact of Covid-19 Policies on Survival Immigrants: The Botswana and South African Response by Mbetu Gamuchirai & Masake Pilisano Harris Chapter 7: Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Refugees in Namibia by Ananias Janet, Leonard Emma & Chikadzi Victor Chapter 8: Deep-Rooted Poverty and Inequalities in Namibia: COVID-19 Revelations by Awarab Marvin Chapter 9: The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Education System in Namibia: A Security Analysis by Ndapandula Monika Shifotoka & Abdallah Ally Chapter 10: Bridging the Digital Divide in Education Sector Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Issues and Challenges in Tanzania by Abdallah Ally & Ndapandula Monika Shifotoka Conclusion: Reflections on Lessons Learned by Masake Pilisano Harris & Iroanya Obinna Richard About the Editors About the Contributors
As a result of the inimitable COVID-19 epidemic, several countries in the world faced socio-economic upheavals. Because of the virus's rapid global spread, people who lived through the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak saw a slew of ethical, legal, economic, and sociological challenges emerge. Some of these challenges had simple remedies, while others had none, inflicting tremendous suffering to millions of people throughout the world. In this book, selected authors from different disciplines addressed a wide variety of issues at the intersection of law and society in relation to the impact of COVID-19 in Southern Africa and the rest of the world. The issues addressed in this book were caused by the virus both directly and indirectly as a result of various responses to the pandemic. Similar to how the virus itself shifts its targets over time, the challenges brought on by the pandemic constantly change as a result of the extreme need to respond to such intricacies thereof. The question is whether or not the world will be ready for the next catastrophe of this kind when it happens. The lessons Southern Africa learned from the COVID-19 experience are thus highlighted in the book. As a result, the book is a fascinating multidisciplinary endeavor and a worthwhile read for everyone. -- Tapiwa Victor Warikandwa, University of Namibia This book shares an honest and displeasing account of what happened during COVID-19. However, the mitigating measures and profound leadership from our distinct communities, public and private sectors are a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of the humankind to always rise above life-threatening challenges. -- Asa Romeo Asa, Namibia University of Science and Technology
