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The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘This is a catastrophic disaster': Ramaphosa visits devastated families after deadly EC floods
President Ramaphosa calls the Eastern Cape floods a 'catastrophic disaster' and pledges urgent relief for affected communities. President Cyril Ramaphosa labelled the deadly Eastern Cape floods a 'catastrophic disaster' as he visited devastated families and pledged urgent government support for affected communities. The president visited areas in the Eastern Cape affected by floods, following a rise in casualties and significant damage to infrastructure due to this week's severe weather conditions, which have resulted in nearly 80 fatalities. 'This is a catastrophic disaster for us, which is caused by climate change because we are not used to floods during winter,' Ramaphosa told the Mthatha community. Ramaphosa on climate change and EC floods catastrophic disaster 'During winter, we expect the cold here in the Eastern Cape, but now we are confronting floods. This goes to show the severity of the issue of climate change.' Ramaphosa visited eFeta Bridge in Mthatha, where floods swept away a scholar transport bus after heavy rains caused the bridge to collapse on Tuesday. Rising water swept away six of the 10 pupils on board. The driver and his assistant were also declared dead. Four children are still missing. ALSO READ: Eastern Cape floods: Death toll rises as residents recount grim tragedy He was accompanied by Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, District Mayor of O.R. Tambo Municipality Mesuli Ngqondwana and Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder and chair of the Gift of the Givers Foundation. An Eastern Cape Emergency Medical Services (EMS) official told Ramaphosa that when the rescue team responded to the early-morning call, they arrived to find floodwaters surging higher than the nearby houses. Hlabisa told Ramaphosa that the driver initially crossed the bridge to collect the schoolchildren, and because he had already crossed, he thought he could safely cross again. Scholar transport accident: 'He tried' 'He tried, but when he was in the middle, the engine switched off. When he tried to start it, it couldn't start, and then it got swept away,' the minister told the president. President @CyrilRamaphosa started his visit eFata Bridge in Mthatha where a scholar transport bus was swept away by floods after bridge collapsed following heavy rains on Tuesday. — The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 13, 2025 Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi also informed the president of the tragic experience of a Limpopo-based woman, Ongezwa Ntlabathi, who lost her mother and two little children in the floods, and her eldest child is still missing. 'We are sorry because it is very painful to lose your child or your parent. I am here because it's not usual for so many people to die at the same time,' Ramaphosa said. ALSO READ: State of disaster in four provinces as floods claim 67 lives in Eastern Cape The government has declared a state of disaster in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State. The classification makes it possible for the government to support the impacted provinces with an integrated response. Ramaphosa called for a national day of mourning to honour those who lost their lives. Meanwhile, the provincial governments continue to lead coordinated and intensive response and recovery efforts following the devastating weather conditions. President calls for day of mourning He pledged that the government would act swiftly to support affected families and said officials would assess the kind of help required. He also urged the affected families to be patient as the government works to provide assistance. The president also warned citizens about building homes in riverplains, which puts them in danger. However, he noted that the government would first prioritise laying the deceased to rest before proceeding with recovery plans. 'We want you to know that just as the government has responded as quickly as possible, we will continue to give you the support and the assistance that is required so that your sorrow must not be deepened beyond what you are experiencing now,' he said. NOW READ: Eastern Cape disaster: Sassa steps in
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
South Africa's government and civil society unite for the International Day of the Boy Child
Minister Siviwe Gwarube and civil society leaders are set to address hundreds of learners and stakeholders during the International Day of the Boy Child commemoration at Thaba Tshwane City Hall. Image: Supplied As the world marks the International Day of the Boy Child, South Africa's government and civil society are stepping up efforts to place the needs, struggles, and potential of boys at the centre of national dialogue. On May 16, the Department of Basic Education (DBE), in partnership with key organisations, will lead a national commemoration at Thaba Tshwane City Hall in Centurion, Gauteng. Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, will be joined by Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule, along with Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Steve Letsike, Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mr Ganief Hendricks, and Gauteng MEC for Education, Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Matome Chiloane. 'The day seeks to address specific challenges facing boys while harnessing the collective strength and industry of partnerships,' the department said, reflecting a broader concern across society about the growing vulnerability of young boys in South Africa. This year's theme extends beyond symbolic gestures, calling attention to the educational, psychological, and social challenges many boys face, from school dropouts and mental health struggles to their roles in preventing gender-based violence. The initiative includes a diverse coalition of partners: UNESCO, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, GIZ, SABC Education, the Baithudi Mampane Foundation, YouthStart Foundation, and PRIMESTARS. The department said this partnership model aims to create tangible interventions that support boys' development and protect them from social risks. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'The DBE and its partners intend to leverage the International Day of the Boy Child to address the systemic educational, psychological as well as social challenges facing boys in South Africa.' A significant precursor to this year's commemoration was the 2023 film "What About the Boys", born from a Presidential engagement. The film provided a raw look at the lived experiences of boys across the country, shedding light on their trauma, silence, and the urgent need to include them in conversations around nation-building and violence prevention. Friday's event will gather three generations of men, including prominent media figures, artists, and athletes who will serve as role models to inspire a new narrative around masculinity, emotional well-being, and community leadership. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
