South Africa will emerge from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's deputy President David Mabuza assured his fellow countrymen.

Mabuza made the remarks on Friday as part of his Christmas message for the year 2021.

"Bound by our collective, determination and unity of action, we will overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and set our country on a firm path of recovery," he said.

"We are a resilient nation that always triumphs. This too shall pass, and we will emerge stronger as a nation."

South Africa is the hardest-hit country by the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.

The country has so far recorded 3,374,262 infections with 90,662 fatalities.

In his message however, Mabuza expressed confidence that South Africa was better placed this year in the COVID-19 situation compared to last year when it was "possibly hopeless."

"We are in a far better situation than we were last season, as a result of the development of vaccines to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities," he said.

"Despite cumulative cases of new infections and the recorded fatalities since the last festive season, we have made progress in sailing through the difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic," he added.

Mabuza also used the opportunity to urge South Africans to remain careful on the roads as they make their trips to join families and friends for Christmas celebrations.

He noted that the government had intensified its interventions to improve the effectiveness of the Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign, aimed at reducing road carnages in the country.