yes we can!

‘It ’s critical that we put people at the centre of the response.’

IN March, there were murmurs that South Africa was about to be put on lockdown. A group of mutually connected volunteers realised that while a complete shutdown was necessary, it could be devastating for many communities. They decided to act quickly. A Facebook page was set up and an online volunteer form created – four months later, Cape Town Together (CTT) has more than 15 000 volunteers helping while the pandemic unfolds.

‘It evolved organically as a result of people wanting to offer a social response to Covid-19,’ says Marcela Guerrero Casas, one of the original CTT members who also happens to be a founder of Open Streets, an initiative that aims to change how we use, perceive and experience streets. ‘We realised that a medical solution is only part of the solution to this crisis.’ CTT is made up of public health professionals, community organisers, social activists, philosophers, scientists, political economics, psychologists and mental health experts. ‘There’s no “founder”,’ says CTT member Dr Leanne Brady. ‘It’s more about collective leadership. We don’t need another hero. It belongs to all of us.’