 The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more effective social protection measures in South Africa. Communities have been forced to take matters into their own hands due to the lack of government support, leading to the formation of community action networks, CANS. These CANS have provided essential services during the lockdown period, including food distribution, home visits by nurses, and psychosocial support. However, these efforts are limited by the fact that they operate outside of the formal healthcare system, which can lead to tensions between the two. Despite these limitations, the CANS provide an important example of how communities can come together to provide care and support in times of crisis.