The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, is set to visit the Impendle Local Municipality after the area was severely affected by recent strong winds.

According to the department, the visit, scheduled for Tuesday, is in response to the intense weather conditions that have caused widespread damage and hardship for more than 100 families in the municipality, with Wards 1 and 5 being particularly hard hit by the storms. 

The Minister will be accompanied by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli. 

“The Premier and Minister will conduct on-site assessments, engage with affected residents, and ensure that urgent relief measures are being implemented,” the department said in a statement. 

This joint visit underscores government’s commitment at both provincial and national levels to respond swiftly and effectively to natural disasters and support vulnerable communities through recovery and rebuilding efforts. 

On Friday last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to offer support and assess the damage following the recent floods that killed about 90 people.

The floods have caused widespread destruction to homes, government facilities, roads, hospitals, and schools, highlighting the urgent need to tackle climate change. 

President Ramaphosa highlighted that this is becoming a new reality for South Africa, with both Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal experiencing recurring annual disasters.

“The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are now prone to continuous annual disasters that are causing a lot of pain and suffering amongst our people, where a number of people are dying,” he said then. 

Government officials pledged continued support to the affected communities, promising to assist families in their time of grief.

President Ramaphosa also took the time to extend his condolences to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, who are facing significant challenges due to climate change. –