Ramaphosa opened the 27th Annual Investing in Africa Mining Indaba's virtual event on Monday afternoon.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that the vaccines that are being rolled out have passed rigorous scientific scrutiny.

Hours after receiving the first consignment of COVID-19 vaccinations, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing of lockdown regulations - allowing the sale of alcohol and regilious gatherings.

With a declining coronavirus infection rate in the country, the movement said there was no reason why current restrictions should continue.

Nceba Simayile (50) developed a severe form of the virus last year and four months later, he said even performing very basic tasks exhausted him.

Healthcare workers at the Tygerberg hospital, where over 11,000 COVID-19 patients have been treated since March 2020, were anxious about what lay ahead if lockdown regulations were relaxed.

The tertiary hospital admitted its first coronavirus patient on 25 March. Almost a year later, more than 11,000 COVID-19 patients have been treated there.

The World Health Organization said that it was driving record numbers of infections across parts of Africa.

Data shows the vaccine has a 60% efficacy for the prevention of mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 in 92% of the cohort that was HIV-negative.

The announcement of the first local case with the B.1.1.7 variant was made during a WHO Africa press briefing earlier on Thursday.

The Serum Institute of India will dispatch 1 million of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine in the initial batch.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation released its annual statement, warning that until vaccines reach everyone, new clusters of the virus will keep breaking out.

SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said the progamme would be open to all patients, with the healthcare professional being responsible for the application and monitoring of the patient.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation released its annual letter on Wednesday, highlighting access to vaccines for all, as well as Africa's ability to deal with healthcare crises.

The lobby group filed an urgent High Court application in Pretoria against the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

The antiparasitic medication was being touted by some as beneficial for actively sick COVID-19 patients and those using it as a prophylactic medicine to prevent them from falling ill.

The health agency's regional director, Doctor Matshidiso Moeti, has spoken out against vaccine hoarding by some well-off countries.

Newly inaugurated US President Joe Biden has halted a process started by his predecessor Donald Trump last year to withdraw from the WHO.