• A snap assessment of life on a busy Cape Town main road revealed 100% mask compliance.
• The wearing of masks in public is now mandatory.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa said the regulations on the wearing of masks will be strengthened.

Are people obeying the president when it comes to wearing masks?

Just 48 hours ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa was clear: Masks are now mandatory.

On Sunday night, Ramaphosa said: "While many South Africans are wearing masks, there are, however, some among us who are not wearing masks when in public. 

"It is, therefore, important that we should enforce the wearing of masks.

"Regulations on the wearing of masks will be strengthened. Employers, shop owners and managers, public transport operators, and managers and owners of any other public building are now legally obliged to ensure that anyone entering their premises or vehicle must be wearing a mask," the president instructed. 

A snap survey on one busy Cape Town main road found exceptional levels of obedience - with every person, of every age and disposition among the hundreds observed obeying the president's call to mask-up.

In a random assessment of public life in Cape Town, News24 visited a busy intersection in lower Main Road in Somerset West, Cape Town, to see the rate of mask compliance, first-hand.

And the result: 100% compliance out of the hundreds observed – every woman, man and child, with only one exception: A confused man carrying a chair, looking for a casino, and his mask.

News24 visited shops, both upmarket and budget, the local post office, a taxi rank and numerous food shops. In every one, everyone wore a mask.

At a local bicycle shop, William's Bike Shop, owner William Keith said bluntly: "They've got no chance of coming in here without obeying the rules."

These were listed both outside the security gate, and inside, and read: "Wear a mask at all times while inside the shop. Sanitise hands before entering. Please do not handle stock unnecessarily. Maximum number of customers in the shop at any time: 3".

News24 witnessed one woman briefly lower her mask to speak on her cellphone – but she stood well away from other pedestrian traffic.

Taxis passing were packed full – but every passenger witnessed wore a mask.

The only person not wearing a mask - out of close on 1 000 people witnessed - was a man carrying a chair. He was initially confident he had a mask. But then could not find it. He decided to walk on - appearing confused, and in search of Grand West casino.

On Sunday night, Ramaphosa expressed dismay at certain behaviours, explaining: "Even as most of our people have taken action to prevent the spread of the virus, there are others who have not. 

"There are some among us who ignore the regulations that have been passed to combat the disease. They also act without any responsibility to respect and protect each other. 

"In the midst of our national effort to fight against this virus there are a number of people who have taken to organising parties, who have drinking sprees, and some who walk around in crowded spaces without masks," Ramaphosa said.

In addition: "All workplaces and all institutions need to ensure that there is a designated coronavirus official responsible for making sure that all regulations and all precautions are strictly adhered to".

The new measures introduced on Sunday were to tackle these indiscretions.