You are the pride of the nation, says Ramaphosa as repatriation mission leaves SA
President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the team set to repatriate the South Africans from Wuhan as the pride of the nation.
“You are indeed the pride of the nation,” Ramaphosa told the group of 15 from the Health Department and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on Tuesday.
At least 122 South Africans living in the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak have indicated that they want to come home.
Ramaphosa wished them well on their journey to Wuhan as they left OR Tambo International Airport.
The aircraft will stop in the Philippines for refuelling, to rest and restock essential foods on Tuesday.
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“They are all healthy, they are not sick. We are not going to fetch disease ridden people out of China. We are bringing back our healthy young people,” Ramaphosa promised.
The aircraft is expected to return on Friday with the South Africans, who will then be placed in quarantine for 21 days.
“There will be a lockdown and will be supervised by the Defence Force and health officials just to take any doubt out. I want to sure South Africans that there is no sick person we are bringing back, there is no sickness that we are bringing back,” said Ramaphosa.