It was the best, worst of times

South Africa went into lockdown five years ago at midnight tomorrow night.

- KEVIN RITCHIE

It was, in the immortal words of Charles Dickens, the best of times, it was the worst of times.

It was a time of childlike innocence, fireside chats from Uncle Cyril, masks, working from home, Zoom calls, hand sanitiser.

It was also a time of banned Woolies chicken and open-toed sandals, of suburban grannies panhandling for illegal smokes on garage forecourts and WhatsApp groups rivalling underground cells to get illicit booze.

It was a time of corruption, this time of personal protective equipment – and within the Union Buildings.

It was a time of some ministers flaunting their privilege and ennui as the rest of us stewed behind closed doors.