The group consisted of about 100 people.
On Saturday, a group of about 100 anti-vaxxers gathered at Groote Schuur Hospital to protest against “mandatory” COVID-19 vaccines.
Initially, the group tried to protest on the grounds belonging to Groote Schuur. They were, however, quickly escorted off the perimeter by security guards and members of the police and allowed to protest at some distance from the hospital.
The crowd chanted “Why are you lying Cyril,” and “We need jobs, not jabs!”. Their issue with the vaccine is that people who choose not to get inoculated are being marginalised and denied access to certain spaces, events and more.
Protesters at the “no to mandatory vaccination rally” are shouting, ‘no to the new world order. | @WeekendArgus pic.twitter.com/q9goefK60P
— Keshia Africa (@africaquiche) August 21, 2021
It is understood that the protest was not organised by any one group. Instead, different anti-vaxx groups decided to pool their resources to bring this protest to life.
Some people who took part in the protest are rather influential. For instance, the founder of Mevrou & Co (a local fashion brand), Catherine Raphaely took part in the protest. Her reasons were that people’s human rights and freedom of choice are being taken away amid the calls for everyone to get their jabs. Other people attending the protest include teachers and community leaders.
“I’m aware of the fact that no Coronavirus vaccine can ever work. Vaccines won’t achieve a high efficacy rate,” she said, speaking to IOL.
One man apparently had a sign with him that read “Covidiots”. This message was directed at the protesters, clearly giving them a piece of his mind. The man works for the hospital and argued that the ignorance displayed by the protesters is disgraceful.
An individual who chose not be named came to the protest with a sign saying “Covidiots”. The protesters chased him away. | @WeekendArgus pic.twitter.com/5545ADzPWS
— Keshia Africa (@africaquiche) August 21, 2021
People cited fears of long-term medical side effects as some of the reasons why they are protesting against the vaccine. One person said they are protesting “for their children” to ensure that they do not have to run the risk of health issues later in life after being forced to take the vaccine.
Currently, there is no mandatory provision for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Naturally, the government is urging citizens to get inoculated, but it has been made clear that no one can be forced to get their jabs if they wish not to.
