How volunteers in South Africa are helping to combat a global pandemic - UNICEF

As yet another wave of Covid-19 infections gripped South Africa earlier this year, the second phase of the vaccine rollout commenced for citizens over the age of 60, with an approximate population of 6 million. Around 3 million people in this group are recipients of the Older Persons Grant.

Since vaccine registration could only be done online, many South African elderly struggled to register for the jab. The elderly are often marginalized and vulnerable due to their age and geographic locations in rural communities. They have limited technological skills and limited access to internet, which means many of them needed to be assisted to register for vaccination.

Additionally, some members of the public are still likely to be vaccine-hesitant due to the rampant spread of vaccine misinformation.

As a response to these issues, UNICEF and GenU volunteers in South Africa, in partnership with Department of Health, Department of Social Development, Boxer Supermarkets (one of the pay-points where pensioners collect their grants) and other implementing partners sprang into action across different parts of the country to assist the elderly in their communities with vaccine registrations.



The Older Persons Grant queues at Boxer Supermarkets provided a unique opportunity for these volunteers to reach the vulnerable to conduct Covid-19 vaccine literacy and help them with registration.

“I was feeling joyful to be out for the first time in Mahikeng doing community work," said Motloung, a young volunteer from South Africa. "I have always wondered how I can be part of community service. Volunteering is close to my heart. Now having been given the chance to help the elderly register for COVID-19 vaccination – I sure could not miss it!”

“The outreach project was important to me because I know that the elderly are not well equipped with the knowledge to use smart devices to help them register for Covid-19 vaccination,” said Motloung, adding, “It was very important to be there so that I could impart knowledge about the vaccination because a number of them are misinformed about the vaccination. I believe I am where I am because of the elderly. Now that I have knowledge about what's happening in the world, I should make an effort to help them.” 

Reitumetse Melelwe, another young volunteer, said: “Covid-19 hit South Africa hard, kicking us whilst we were down. And with our elders at risk and considered the most vulnerable to the virus, it was important for me to help where I could help avoid losing more of our loved ones.”

The first phase of these activations took place from 3-4 June, a time when South African pensioners queue to collect their monthly pensions. Over 100 UNICEF and GenU volunteers in four provinces and five cities participated in these activations, assisting over 3,000 pensioners in their first phase of activations.

Despite the many challenges and difficulties that this global pandemic has triggered, it has also inspired youth activism among a generation of young people who are determined to forge a better future for themselves and their communities and youth who volunteer and use technology to their advantage by helping those in need.