Beefing up municipal disaster capacity
SIPHELELE NKETO
KWAZULU-NATAL provincial government led by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli launched the 2025 provincial summer season awareness campaign in Harding this week.
The launch marked the provincial government’s commitment to disaster preparedness and resilience through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC).
Premier Ntuli stressed that this annual campaign was a direct and resolute response to the devastating lessons learned from previous climate-related events, notably the 2022 floods and persistent wildfires.
“For too long, KZN has borne the brunt of severe weather events,” he said. He added that the campaign was a declaration of the provincial government’s commitment to moving from a reactive stance to a proactive and preventative posture against disasters.
Eleven fire trucks donated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) were handed over to the following municipalities: Umfolozi Local Municipality; uMvoti Local Municipality; uMngeni Local Municipality; Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality; Johannes Phumani Phungula Local Municipality; Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality; Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality; Madlangeni Local Municipality; Nkandla Local Municipality; eDumbe Local Municipality and Nongoma Local Municipality. Premier Ntuli further highlighted the broader socio-economic benefits of the initiative. Four municipalities: (Umfolozi, Nongoma, uKhahlamba and Umuziwabantu) received additional essential disaster management material and tools valued at R1 million, aimed at enhancing their immediate operational readiness. MEC Reverend Buthelezi of Cogta supported the premier’s vision and commended the collaborative effort between government, the private sector and development partners.
