Relentless rain has battered Mpumalanga, resulting in heavy floods and record-breaking water levels over the past 10 days. According to the latest government report, the floods have claimed 20 lives.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the Nkomazi Local Municipality on Monday, January 19, sent a clear message to leaders to support distressed citizens who have lost loved ones or their homes. He said it is important for leaders to engage with their people when tragedy befalls them.

“When people are in need they want to have a sense that those who they have elected into key positions are there with them,” he explained.

During his visit, the president assessed the extent of the damage and reviewed the ongoing response after the province was declared a natural disaster area by the head of the National Disaster Management Centre, Dr Elias Sithole. It was evident that the province has suffered severe damages to infrastructure and roads, and that many children have been unable to attend school.

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Ramaphosa remarked that the government’s flood response efforts could be improved. “We now need to increase our town planning capability and get more young people to take up the town planning courses, and also get our municipalities to enforce by-laws,” he said.

“We are now in an era in which climate change is quite evident to everyone, and we are now developing our own disaster responses so that when we have disasters like floods, fires and other forms of disasters we are able to respond as quickly and as effectively as possible.”

According to the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), the president’s visit showed that national leadership is involved and that necessary steps will be taken to assist affected provinces and communities.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with government, private sector partners and local communities to mitigate the long-term economic effects of this disaster,” said MEGA CEO Isaac Mahlangu.

The minister for co-operative governance and traditional affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, accompanied by the Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, and other government officials announced during their visit to flood-affected areas on Saturday, January 17, that about R2b is needed to repair the damage. Ndlovu called on the private sector to assist with funds as the province’s budget cannot accommodate the cost.

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Ramaphosa offered condolences to the families that lost loved ones or suffered injuries, and spoke with residents affected by property losses. Community members welcomed him and outlined their needs and expectations for government support.