Anglican Archbishop of Southern Africa Thabo Makgoba says it is possible for the pharmaceutical industry in Africa to develop COVID-19 vaccines instead of importing more.

Makgoba delivered the Via Dolorosa Sermon during a Virtual Good Friday Service of the South African Council of Churches (SACC).

The aim of the virtual service, which was broadcast on SABC 2, was to honour frontline healthcare workers who died of COVID-19 related complications since last year.

Makgoba explains, “Let us challenge the pharmaceutical industry in Africa to manufacture vaccines ourselves. I’m sure we can make more drugs ourselves instead of importing them. Let us also challenge vaccine nationalism. You can’t put a flag and hope the virus will not cross borders. Let us challenge what I refer to as vaccine Apartheid, practiced by those who play God and determine who is condemned to suffer and to die on the cross of coronavirus.”