---
title: "Ramaphosa writes to ANC amid Covid-19 corruption, journalists receive award for pandemic reporting, and a spark of hope for Gauteng"
description: "Over the weekend, all journalists who have reported on the Covid-19 pandemic were honoured with a prestigious award by the South African National Editors’ Forum. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has written to ANC members about a plan to tackle corruption as allegations of Covid-19 malfeasance mount. And Gauteng finally received some hopeful news."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "CORONAVIRUS DAILY DIGEST #130"
author: "Christi Nortier"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/christinortier/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-23-ramaphosa-writes-to-anc-amid-covid-19-corruption-journalists-receive-award-for-pandemic-reporting-and-a-spark-of-hope-for-gauteng/"
published: "2020-08-23T23:29:33"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 261
---

# Ramaphosa writes to ANC amid Covid-19 corruption, journalists receive award for pandemic reporting, and a spark of hope for Gauteng

> Over the weekend, all journalists who have reported on the Covid-19 pandemic were honoured with a prestigious award by the South African National Editors’ Forum. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has written to ANC members about a plan to tackle corruption as allegations of Covid-19 malfeasance mount. And Gauteng finally received some hopeful news.

By Christi Nortier · Published 24 August 2020, 01:29 SAST

## Content

[Covid-19 in South Africa](https://infogram.com/18b4fb89-1860-4eff-859a-1af38ae70c1f)
[Infogram](https://infogram.com)

![Daily-Digest-Gauteng-August-23](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/4wBHIKUJaaU2KDvmOmgPkI9mvXc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Daily-Digest-Gauteng-August-23.jpg)

*Daily-Digest-Gauteng-August-23*

![Daily-Digest-Eastern-Cape-August-23](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/wZedloW0GCjdHe8L0h1DktpkISI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Daily-Digest-Eastern-Cape-August-23.jpg)

*Daily-Digest-Eastern-Cape-August-23*

![Daily-Digest-Free-State-August-23](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/nbWmBjz8UEDjPkFy7EQtMcp5GCM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Daily-Digest-Free-State-August-23.jpg)

*Daily-Digest-Free-State-August-23*

![Daily-Digest-Western-Cape-August-23](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/VP7duHjB_XfOD5X69nu7XRA63a8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Daily-Digest-Western-Cape-August-23.jpg)

*Daily-Digest-Western-Cape-August-23*

![Daily-Digest-KwaZulu-Natal-August-23](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/vk2xYocmaQFv8N7rPIS00ZLMLJI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Daily-Digest-KwaZulu-Natal-August-23.jpg)

*Daily-Digest-KwaZulu-Natal-August-23*

Amid the recent unearthing of Covid-19 corruption, President Cyril Ramaphosa has written a letter to ANC members asking for their help to root out the graft and make this a turning point for the party. He wrote that the country’s “anger and disillusionment” with this is justified and that the corruption is an “unforgivable betrayal”. He gave a detailed plan of action for the way forward. As[Carien du Plessis](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-23-the-anc-goes-into-battle-against-graft-and-a-battle-within-itself/) writes, this may be the moment which shows that the party is facing a battle within itself too. In addition, as[Stephen Grootes](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-23-end-of-cyril-ramaphosa-the-consensus-man/) writes, this may mark the end of Ramaphosa’s time of governing by consensus.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-23-end-of-cyril-ramaphosa-the-consensus-man/

On Saturday, all journalists who have been reporting on the Covid-19 pandemic received a coveted award – the[Nat Nakasa Award](https://sanef.org.za/awards/). The South African National Editors’ Forum made the[announcement](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-23-sa-journalists-honoured-for-covering-the-covid-19-pandemic-video/) alongside the release of a documentary commissioned to show the crucial role journalists play in society – pandemic or not. Watch the documentary below.

Video embed:

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDNBgTcPKMg)

Late on Friday, Gauteng received some good news – there has been a significant drop in Covid-19 infections in the province. The average daily infection rate has dropped from a high of 7,000 to just over 3,000. In addition, testing has not declined and hospitalisation has dropped. About 78% of special needs schools have reopened, while 99% of regular schools have reopened. As[Zukiswa Pikoli](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-21-good-news-for-gauteng-with-almost-all-schools-open-and-a-significant-drop-in-covid-19-cases/) writes, investigations into allegations of corruption in the health department will continue for the next 60 days. **DM/MC**