Citizen Questions Government Logic of Allowing Pupils in Packed Classrooms but Not Allowing Fans into Stadiums

• A Twitter-zen asked a rather awkward question that would cause the smoothest government spokesperson a world of trouble
• Lesley Makhaya de Vos questioned the logic of pupils being packed into inadequately ventilated classrooms during Covid-19, but somehow not allowing spectators into stadiums
• The tweet was met with annoyed respondents who agreed with him, with some purveying intriguing and explosive theories

A social media user asked a pertinent question about the inconsistent applications lockdown regulations in publication spaces.

Lesley Makhaya de Vos (@lezdevos) tweeted how some classrooms across the country are packed beyond capacity with vaccinated and unvaccinated learners, while other public and well ventilated venues like stadiums are either still closed to spectators or very few spectators are allowed in.

De Vos tweeted:

"Only in SOUTH AFRICA! 5m x 5m classrooms with limited ventilation are packed with up to 65 unvaxed learners! 90 000-seater Sports stadiums with clear blue skies above ARE EMPTY! Have we gone mad? Who's fooling who? @SAFA_net @OfficialPSL @MultiChoice @robertmarawa"

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For context, only 1 500 spectators are allowed into St. George's Park in Gqeberha for the CSA T20 Challenge, as reported by News24. The South African Rugby Union also announced that a maximum of 2 000 fans were allowed to watch local rugby matches like the United Rugby Championship and the Currie Cup.

The tweet caused something of a stir among respondents.

@wexa11 implied that a broadcaster was benefitting

"Maybe it’s time we boycott DSTV just for a few months."

@luyanda_nxasana responded:

"Our fellow South Africans won't do that. They are complaining about DStv yet they're still paying for it. Bayithanda kabi"

@PatrioticGaffer said:

"PSL main sponsor is @DStv and that is a broadcasting station. If we go to the stadiums the viewership will drop. Some people are receiving brown envelopes about this matter. Take it to the streets that's the only language stakeholders understand in South Africa."

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@maphatsoesenyan said:

"Tomorrow they'll be attending #SONA22 sitting next to each other under one roof with limited ventilation. Sthule nje siya buka."

Readers give their input after the EFF marches for the reopening of stadiums

Sports Brief readers had a noticeably strong and mixed reaction to the Economic Freedom Front's picket in Tshwane outside the Department of Sports and Recreation.

The demonstration, supported by the South African Football Players Union and fans of various clubs, was to pressure stakeholders into reopening stadiums for football spectators.

Some saw these actions as stunts, while others believed they were absolutely necessary.