President Cyril Ramaphosa visited South Africa’s Eastern Cape province on Friday following devastating floods that have claimed the lives of at least 78 people and displaced thousands more. The flooding, triggered by a fierce winter storm earlier in the week, submerged vast stretches of the largely rural and underdeveloped region under mud and water, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Ramaphosa, who had earlier described the floods as “unprecedented,” toured the hardest-hit areas, including the tragic site where a school bus was swept away by floodwaters, killing at least six children and three adults. The president’s visit comes amid ongoing rescue operations, with emergency crews still combing through debris and going door-to-door in search of bodies and potential survivors.
Many residents were caught off guard when the floodwaters surged in overnight. Some were forced to climb onto rooftops and wait for hours before help arrived. While heavy rainfall and snow are typical of South Africa’s winter, climate experts say the country is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather due to climate change. The Green Climate Fund has warned of a rising frequency and intensity of such natural disasters.
The city of Mthatha, located about 800 kilometers south of Johannesburg, bore the brunt of the floods and subsequent landslides. Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, confirmed the rising death toll in an interview with SABC News.
The humanitarian response is ongoing. The South African Red Cross Society reported that at least 3,500 households were affected, with many residents now taking refuge in community halls. Aid groups, including the Gift of the Givers Foundation, are on the ground providing support. However, spokesperson Ali Sablay warned that the number of people in need could “dramatically increase” due to fragile housing structures and contaminated food supplies.
Local authorities also reported that 20 health facilities and 58 schools suffered flood-related damage, straining the already limited infrastructure in the region.
As the nation mourns, Ramaphosa vowed government support for recovery efforts and emphasized the urgency of addressing the country’s climate vulnerabilities. “This is not just a natural disaster—it’s a wake-up call,” he said.
Written By Rodney Mbua
