Latest news with #ThulasizweButhelezi
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
KZN ready to tackle weather threats during Comrades Marathon
KZN Cogta is ready to respond to weather emergencies as thousands gather for the Comrades Marathon this weekend. The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has assured the public that the department is prepared to respond to any weather-related challenges this week. As KZN welcomes thousands of Comrades Marathon runners, the MEC said that public safety remains the department's top priority. Comrades Marathon weather warnings The South African Weather Service (Saws) has warned runners to expect predominantly mild to warm and windy conditions, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies. 'However, runners should be aware of a cool change in the weather later in the day when a coastal low and cold front are expected to move northwards up the KwaZulu-Natal coast, introducing colder, more moist conditions to the coast and adjacent interior,' Saws warned. There will also be a risk of showers or thunderstorms developing over the Drakensberg, spreading to the coast in the evening. ALSO READ: Comrades Marathon: Top five men's and women's contenders Amid weather warnings, KZN Cogta announced that it has mobilised disaster management teams to ensure a coordinated response. 'Our teams will be closely monitoring routes starting from today, especially as runners on Sunday and spectators begin their journeys from Sunday evening after the conclusion of the race,' Buthelezi said in a briefing on Friday. KZN's preparations The MEC outlined the province's preparations for the Comrades Marathon, including stockpiling relief supplies such as blankets, mattresses, and non-perishable foods. Buthelezi emphasised that provincial centres and public facilities stand ready to provide temporary shelter. He also urged road users to exercise caution due to the forecasted weather conditions. Municipalities will monitor road conditions and announce closures and traffic redirects if necessary. ALSO READ: Here's when snow could fall in your province 'Our social partners are also ready to deploy relief to strategically identified high-risk areas, especially along major travel routes,' the MEC said. Buthelezi explained that the focus extends beyond the immediate cold front to the broader winter season, with a well-developed and regularly updated winter contingency plan. Winter plan The province's plan includes conducting proactive risk assessments to identify areas most vulnerable to winter disasters such as floods, heavy snowfall, and extreme cold. The MEC affirmed the provincial government's commitment to ensuring the safety and resilience of communities throughout the winter season. 'We have immense confidence in our dedicated disaster management teams and our valued partners who work tirelessly to mitigate the impact of severe weather,' he said. NOW READ: Five tips for novices from Comrades Marathon legend Louis Massyn
The Herald
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Herald
KZN disaster management teams on alert for disruptive snow on N3 after Comrades Marathon
Disaster management teams have been activated in KwaZulu-Natal to respond to rain and extreme cold conditions expected at the weekend, and snowfall predicted on Monday. KwaZulu-Natal Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi urged residents to be vigilant for inclement weather predicted from Sunday, adding department teams had been prepped for disaster management protocols. Buthelezi said: 'This is particularly important for our province as we are hosting thousands of runners and spectators for the Comrades Marathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban on Sunday. 'According to information from the SA Weather Service, KwaZulu-Natal will begin experiencing extreme cold weather from Sunday night through to Tuesday. The province has also been cited as one of eight where disruptive snowfall is expected, which may affect traffic flow over mountain passes, particularly the N3 highway at Van Reenen's Pass, from Monday to Tuesday,' he said. 'Strong, damaging surface winds are expected over large parts of the province that may cause a high risk of wildfires, specially in grazing land and densely populated areas. The extreme conditions will persist across parts of our province, with strong winds expected along the coast until Tuesday. 'As a department, we would like to reassure all runners, spectators, visitors, businesses, motorists and residents that our disaster management teams are fully prepared to respond to any incidents that may result from the extreme weather.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Climate
- TimesLIVE
KZN disaster management teams on alert for disruptive snow on N3 after Comrades Marathon
Disaster management teams have been activated in KwaZulu-Natal to respond to rain and extreme cold conditions expected at the weekend, and snowfall predicted on Monday. KwaZulu-Natal Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi urged residents to be vigilant for inclement weather predicted from Sunday, adding department teams had been prepped for disaster management protocols. Buthelezi said: 'This is particularly important for our province as we are hosting thousands of runners and spectators for the Comrades Marathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban on Sunday. 'According to information from the SA Weather Service, KwaZulu-Natal will begin experiencing extreme cold weather from Sunday night through to Tuesday. The province has also been cited as one of eight where disruptive snowfall is expected, which may affect traffic flow over mountain passes, particularly the N3 highway at Van Reenen's Pass, from Monday to Tuesday,' he said. 'Strong, damaging surface winds are expected over large parts of the province that may cause a high risk of wildfires, specially in grazing land and densely populated areas. The extreme conditions will persist across parts of our province, with strong winds expected along the coast until Tuesday. 'As a department, we would like to reassure all runners, spectators, visitors, businesses, motorists and residents that our disaster management teams are fully prepared to respond to any incidents that may result from the extreme weather.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Climate
- IOL News
KZN Cogta MEC prepares for extreme weather challenges during Comrades Marathon
SIGCINIWE Cold front forecasted for Comrades Marathon weekend: What you need to know. The KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has confirmed that the province is ready to deal with the cold front this weekend which will affect the 98th Comrades Marathon. On Friday, Buthelezi said that after receiving alerts from the South African Weather Service (Saws) on Thursday, disaster management centres were activated to ensure a coordinated response and issue the early warning notifications. Saws predicted very cold weather in KZN starting Sunday evening and lasting until Tuesday. The province was also mentioned as one of eight provinces where disruptive snowfall is likely. "As a department, we would like to reassure all runners, spectators, visitors, businesses, motorists and residents that our disaster management teams are fully prepared to respond to any incidents that may result from the extreme weather," said the MEC.
News24
3 days ago
- General
- News24
Seventy people rescued as Durban informal settlement blaze destroys 40 homes
At least 70 residents were rescued after a fire ripped through their homes in Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban on Wednesday night. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said the fire, which broke out around 20:00, destroyed more than 40 informal structures. 'Disaster response teams received urgent calls from residents reporting a significant fire within the informal settlement,' he said. He added that disaster response, police, and fire and rescue teams were at the scene. 'The incident resulted in over 40 shacks being destroyed, leaving many residents without shelter and having lost essential documents and personal belongings. 'A comprehensive investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the fire,' Mzila added. No deaths were recorded. The affected residents are being housed at a nearby community hall. Mzila said the informal settlement was one of several in the province where the department had installed smoke alarms. 'These alarms played a crucial role in saving lives by providing early warnings to residents, allowing them to evacuate safely,' he said. Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi applauded the teams for their rapid response. He said the disaster management centre had alerted relevant departments and social partners to provide relief measures. 'These efforts will focus on providing immediate support to affected residents and assisting them in rebuilding their lives,' Buthelezi added.
