SJD1501
Assignment 6 Semester 2 2024
Unique #:554122
Due Date: 18 October 2024
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
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, 1. Response to Belief that Africa Lacks Expertise in Responding to
Pandemics (200 words, 5 Marks)
To those who believe that Africa lacks expertise in responding to pandemics, it is
crucial to highlight the continent's substantial experience in managing infectious
disease outbreaks, such as Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. Africa has developed
significant capacity in epidemiological surveillance, public health response, and
community engagement, which have been essential in controlling these diseases.
For instance, the African Union's Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
(Africa CDC) has played a pivotal role in coordinating the continent's COVID-19
response, demonstrating that Africa possesses both the knowledge and the
institutional frameworks necessary to handle pandemics.
Moreover, local innovations, such as the use of mobile technology for contact
tracing and the establishment of rapid response teams, have been instrumental in
mitigating the spread of COVID-19. While challenges remain, such as limited
resources and infrastructure, it is inaccurate to suggest that Africa lacks expertise.
Instead, what Africa requires is greater support and equitable access to global
resources, including vaccines and medical supplies, to effectively combat
pandemics. The narrative should shift from one of deficiency to one that recognizes
and builds upon the existing strengths and resilience within the continent.
2. Importance of Conducting Due Diligence (200 words, 5 Marks)
Conducting due diligence is critical in preventing corruption, ensuring transparency,
and promoting accountability, particularly in times of crisis like the COVID-19
pandemic. Due diligence involves a thorough investigation and verification process
before entering into contracts, disbursing funds, or forming partnerships. It helps
identify potential risks, including conflicts of interest, financial mismanagement, and
fraudulent activities. In the context of COVID-19, where rapid decision-making was
often required, the lack of due diligence led to significant corruption, as seen in
several high-profile cases in South Africa, where companies with no relevant
experience were awarded lucrative contracts for personal protective equipment
(PPE).
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