Cape town: During his department’s Budget Vote presentation on Wednesday, Velenkosini Hlabisa, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, took a moment to honour the lives lost in the recent catastrophic disaster that occurred just two weeks ago. This tragedy claimed the lives of approximately 102 people in the Eastern Cape.
According to South African Government News Agency, the South African Weather Service had predicted severe weather, including heavy rainfall, snow, and strong winds, causing provinces like the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal to activate their disaster response plans. The Eastern Cape experienced particularly devastating impacts, with torrential rains leading to unprecedented floods in districts such as Nelson Mandela Bay, Chris Hani, and OR Tambo.
Families lost everything in a matter of hours, with over 100 South Africans, including children, parents, and grandparents, losing their lives. The severe floods not only washed away homes and infrastructure but also shattered the very fabric of families and communities, leaving thousands homeless and schools submerged.
In a moment of reflection, the Minister extended condolences to those affected, offering deep sympathy on behalf of the Ministry and the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The National Assembly observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased.
In response to the devastation, the Minister has authorised the National Disaster Management Centre to officially classify the events as a National Disaster, facilitating immediate and necessary interventions. Urgent efforts are underway to support the affected provinces and municipalities with resources needed for recovery and rebuilding. Technical assessment teams have been deployed, working through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) to evaluate the damage to essential infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and sanitation systems.
The collaboration with the South African National Defence Force aims to enhance national capacity and strengthen rapid response during emergencies. South Africa is concurrently holding the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), focusing specifically on disaster risk reduction, emphasizing the significance of global cooperation in addressing disaster-related challenges.
With attention turning to the second G20 technical meeting scheduled for next week in Johannesburg, the working group will address critical areas such as ecosystem-based approaches, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and strategies for disaster recovery and reconstruction. These focus areas are seen as lifelines for the future to prevent future national tragedies and ensure communities bounce back stronger.
As South Africa continues to grapple with the repercussions of this disaster, the country is now shifting its commitment to recovery, resilience, and international collaboration. The Minister announced a budget allocation for Cooperative Governance amounting to R410.9 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, with 96.7% earmarked for intergovernmental transfers and support to various entities. In addition, Traditional Affairs will see an appropriated budget of R195 530 million for the fiscal year 2025/26.