Day: February 20, 2023

Communities cautioned to be vigilant during heavy rains

MEC for Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nono Maloyi, has urged communities throughout the province especially those staying in low lying areas, to exercise caution as the province continues to experience above normal rains.

The North West province like many other parts of the country has been receiving heavy rains in the past days causing flooding in areas in Tswaing, Mahikeng, Rustenburg, Moretele, Matlosana, JB Marks and Lekwa Teemane local municipalities. The most affected communities are those staying in flood prone areas such as below flood lines, wetlands and those staying in residential areas surrounded by water dams.

The department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) has activated a team of disaster management officials across all local and district municipalities to respond to incidents throughout the season and to assist communities affected by the floods.

The officials from the disaster management centres in the affected municipalities have been on the ground to conduct assessments to determine the extent of the damages and to coordinate various interventions from stakeholders which include the South African Red Cross Society, SASSA, Gift of the Givers, government departments and other social partners.

In Lekwa Teemane in Dr Ruth Segmotsi Mompati district, all the residents, mainly business owners have been evacuated after the Bloemhof dam sluice gates were opened. Some residents in JB Marks local municipality and in Orkney Vaal in Matlosana local municipality were evacuated and are currently staying with friends and relatives. In Deelpan in Tswaing local municipalities, more than twenty (20) people agreed to be evacuated and they will be accommodated at a local community hall.

With more rains predicted, Maloyi said the department through the PDMC, continues to monitor, coordinate interventions and recovery measures in order to avoid life- threatening and emergency cases. He said the disaster management officials remain on high alert as the heavy downpours continue.

“We would like to let communities know that our officials are on high alert and continue to monitor the situation. The roads are slippery and we therefore urge road-users to drive carefully. Those in the proximity of the rivers or dams must monitor the water levels and must evacuate as soon as the water level rises”, he said. Maloyi further cautioned communities not to endanger their lives by crossing rivers or bridges and walking under power lines.

“Although no major incidents have been reported since the start of heavy downpours, members of the public are urged to contact their municipal disaster management centers in case of flooding or any other incidents”, said MEC Maloyi.

Source: Government of South Africa

Government Chief Climate Finance negotiator resigns

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, has wished South Africa’s chief climate finance negotiator, Mr Zaheer Fakir all the best for his future, and thanked him for his commitment to the country’s climate change agenda.

Mr Fakir has resigned from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment after accepting a position a senior advisor to the team preparing for the international climate talks in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

The 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) will be held in Dubai in early December.

Mr Fakir, who is also a member of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team, had facilitated the development of the Climate Investment Fund Accelerated Coal Transition Investment Plan approved in 2022, and the Green Climate Fund. He is also the chair of the UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance.

“He leaves behind a significant team of people that he has trained over many years. It can only benefit the cause of climate justice in Africa when persons of Mr Fakir’s caliber are appointed to assist the UNFCCC,” said the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy.

The Minister thanked Mr Fakir for his decades of service to the South African Government and the Department, saying it was a privilege to have worked with him in the climate finance space. She wished him all the best in his new role in the UAE adding that he would continue to make the country proud.

His resignation is effective 28 February 2023.

Source: Government of South Africa