Latest news with #eThekwiniMunicipality
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Operation Good Hope returns to The Bluff
THE Bluff Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) has welcomed the return of eThekwini Municipality's outreach programme, Operation Good Hope (OGH). Deputy chairperson of the BRRA Allison Schoeman said the programme is working on fixing streetlights. Also read: DA takes eThekwini Municipality to High Court over sewage crisis 'The Electricity Department is on Tara Road, assessing what is needed to repair the streetlights on both Tara Road and Club Road. This follows my request earlier this morning (July 29) for this road to be prioritised. 'The team has confirmed that the prolonged outage is due to the underground cables having been stolen. As a solution, they will now explore the use of overhead cables,' said Schoeman. The programme will also focus on tree-cutting challenges on The Bluff. 'Another major obstacle is the overgrown trees along Tara Road. Unfortunately, the person responsible for tree-cutting does not have the resources to assist during OGH this week. I have suggested that, if eThekwini can provide the cherry-picker, we could call on community volunteers to assist with trimming the trees. 'However, this involves a significant red tape due to liability concerns if anyone were to be injured,' she said. Also read: Southlands Sun 1 August 2025 She said the South Durban Basin Area Based Management is looking into alternative arrangements. 'But if any skilled individuals are willing to assist, acknowledging the risks and signing an indemnity in favour of the city, your help would be greatly appreciated. We are therefore calling on our community for volunteers to help us move this forward,' she added. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Maverick
‘Watershed moment' – advanced attribution study confirms climate change intensified Durban's deadly 2022 floods
A groundbreaking new study has confirmed what President Cyril Ramaphosa said in the aftermath of South Africa's deadliest flood disaster – that climate change played a significant role in the devastating April 2022 floods that killed 544 people in KwaZulu-Natal. A new attribution study released on Monday, 29 July, confirms what many have long speculated: the catastrophic Durban floods of April 2022 – which claimed 544 lives and displaced tens of thousands – were made significantly worse by climate change. 'This climate attribution study marks a watershed moment – we now have definitive, scientific evidence of how climate change is impacting us, and more importantly, what we need to plan for,' said Dr Sean O'Donoghue, senior manager of climate change adaptation at eThekwini Municipality. The research, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, is a formal scientific attribution of the event. It shows that rainfall during the storm of 11-12 April 2022 was between 40% and 107% heavier than it would have been in a cooler, pre-industrial climate. 'In every simulation, there was a substantial increase in rainfall due to global warming,' said Professor Francois Engelbrecht, director of the Global Change Institute at Wits University, who led the study. 'Even the lowest increase – around 40% – is already a massive jump. In some cases, rainfall more than doubled.' He explained that in simulations where the storm system made landfall over Durban, rainfall intensified dramatically – similar to the difference between a cyclone skimming the coast and one striking directly. The April 2022 floods remain the deadliest flood disaster in recorded South African history. More than 500mm of rain fell in just two days in parts of KwaZulu-Natal as measured by weather stations of the Agricultural Research Council. The deluge destroyed homes, infrastructure and livelihoods across the province. 'Three years after President Cyril Ramaphosa said these floods were part of climate change, science can now confirm he was correct,' said Engelbrecht. How we know it was climate change To understand whether the event was intensified by climate change or simply natural variability, researchers used climate attribution modelling. They simulated the storm in two versions of the world: one with today's levels of greenhouse gases, and one without human emissions. Comparing these worlds helps determine how much more intense or likely the event became due to climate change. This approach is possible because we know, with precision, how much carbon pollution humans have added to the atmosphere. Since 1750, over 400 billion metric tons of carbon have been released from burning fossil fuels and cement production – half of it since the late 1980s. As leading attribution scientist Dr Friederike Otto has explained, 'We know very well how many greenhouse gases have been put into the atmosphere since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution [thanks to historical emission records and atmospheric measurements]. 'So we can remove these greenhouse gases from the atmosphere of climate models and simulate possible weather in the world that might have been without climate change.' Engelbrecht said that an attribution study consisted of two parts: 'One, the simulation of the actual event – and that's very similar to the forecast of the event,' he said. 'And then two, the simulation of how that event would have evolved in a pre-industrial world without greenhouse gas emissions. At its core, he said, the method took the real storm system and 'artificially places it in a pre-industrial world not warmed by greenhouse gas emissions' to see how it behaved in comparison. What makes this study special is its use of 'kilometre-scale' climate modelling. Traditional global climate models divide the Earth into large grid boxes up to about 200km wide. At this scale, important small-scale weather features like thunderstorms are too small to model directly, so scientists estimate their effects using statistical assumptions. But this new model zooms in much closer – dividing the atmosphere into blocks of just one to five kilometres wide – allowing researchers to simulate thunderstorms themselves. 'With kilometre-scale models, we're resolving the thunderstorms,' explained Engelbrecht. 'Instead of approximating them statistically, we now use physics to simulate the updrafts, downdrafts, heat movement and rainfall directly.' This means the model can better capture the storms that cause flash floods, especially important in South Africa, where most floods come from these convective thunderstorms. This more detailed approach gives scientists a clearer and more reliable picture of how climate change affects extreme local weather. 'That's a big advantage,' he added. 'It gives us more reliable representations of thunderstorms, the rainfall they produce, and the flooding they trigger. In South Africa, the vast majority of flood events are caused by convective rainfall, which comes from thunderstorms.' The model, powered by the Centre for High Performance Computing in Cape Town, took nearly three years to develop and marks a major step forward for Africa's capacity to assess climate-driven extremes. Engelbrecht says the next step is to integrate these tools into disaster planning. 'We need to move from academic modelling to near-operational capability — where we can confirm within days, not years, whether climate change intensified a disaster,' he said. 'With even faster next-generation computers being installed at the CHPC and our newly established modelling system, this is absolutely achievable.' Crucially, the same high-resolution models used for attribution are also used in forecasting. 'If you want to predict where the flood is going to happen in KwaZulu-Natal two days from now, you need a detailed kilometre-scale short-range weather prediction model,' said Engelbrecht. 'And when you want to understand how climate change made the thunderstorms worse… you also need the same type of model.' This overlap opens the door to integrating attribution science into real-time early warning systems — helping better protect communities before extreme events strike. The study found three major drivers behind the storm's intensified rainfall: A warmer atmosphere holding more moisture; A warming Agulhas Current increasing ocean evaporation; and Changing wind patterns funnelling more moist air into KwaZulu-Natal. The team also modelled future scenarios, warning that storms in eastern South Africa would probably grow even more intense as the planet continued to warm. Why KZN is especially vulnerable KwaZulu-Natal is particularly flood-prone due to geography and climate. 'The province has this warm Agulhas Current on its east coast, and it's been warming over the last four decades,' Engelbrecht explained. A warmer ocean means more evaporation, and with a warmer atmosphere holding more water vapour, the result is heavier rainfall when storms form. This combination of oceanic and atmospheric warming helped supercharge the 2022 flood event. East coasts globally face similar risks, Engelbrecht said. 'Climate change is increasing flood risks along many of the world's east coast regions — and ours is no exception.' Why attribution science matters Attribution science is central to climate justice — especially in determining responsibility for damages caused by extreme events. As Engelbrecht explained, attribution science was largely developed to support the study of 'loss and damage' – because attribution helps quantify how much worse an event became because of global warming. This evidence is key to accessing international climate finance – like the loss and damage fund – and to holding the biggest polluters accountable. They can also strengthen legal arguments for climate accountability. The recent advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice made clear that countries have legal obligations to cut emissions and protect vulnerable nations. 'I think that the ICJ verdict has just made the attribution science more important,' Engelbrecht said. Preparing for the next storm Beyond proving climate's role in past disasters, attribution studies can help guide adaptation – especially for vulnerable, fast-growing cities such as Durban. 'Once we've established scientifically that climate change made a specific event worse, it's a powerful message for decision makers,' said Engelbrecht. Before the April 2022 storm, eThekwini Municipality piloted a community-based flood warning system in Quarry Road West informal settlement – and no lives were lost there. But much more work needs to be done as many communities remain unprepared, and lives of the vulnerable have again been lost in floods this year. After the 2022 disaster, Durban-based activists, academics and communities co-created the People's Plan for the Right to Housing in the Age of Climate Change. Integrated into the city's development strategy, it promotes inclusive governance, localised flood warnings and long-term resilience. 'This kind of research, which makes a clear link between climate change and extreme flooding, is critical,' said Kira Erwin of environmental justice group groundWork. 'It helps us really take stock of what we need to start to do in the city of Durban to keep ourselves safe. Chris Trisos of UCT's Climate Risk Lab agreed: 'We need to invest far more in adapting to heavier rainfall – from flood-proofing infrastructure to restoring river catchments. The 2022 floods are not the new normal. If we keep burning fossil fuels, the hazard will only get worse.' DM
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Last chance to enter Durban Fashion Fair
THE eThekwini Municipality is inviting fashion designers from across South Africa to apply for the opportunity to showcase their designs at the 14th annual Durban Fashion Fair (DFF). The DFF, one of Africa's influential fashion events, will take place from September 17 to 19, at The Station Urban Event Space. Applications close on Thursday July 31, 2025. Chairperson of the eThekwini economic development and planning committee, councillor Thembo Ntuli, reaffirmed the city's investment in the programme. ALSO read: Durban Fashion Fair model search kicks off this June He said the showcase is part of the city's broader commitment to developing the creative industry and empowering entrepreneurs in the fashion sector. 'As eThekwini Municipality, we invest in fashion because it drives inclusive economic development and job creation. The programme supports radical economic transformation by empowering emerging creatives. This year, 24 emerging designers have received training and mentorship since March, covering both creative and business aspects. These mentees will have the opportunity to showcase at the DFF in September,' added Ntuli. With the theme, 'The Awakening', the DFF 2025 promises to shine the spotlight on bold creativity, while celebrating local talent and amplifying both new and established voices in the fashion space. Over the past decade, the DFF has grown into a vital platform, not only showcasing fashion, but shaping careers. Many past participants have gained access to buyers, business partnerships, and international opportunities. Makhosi Ntshangase of Sista Fellas, a 2019 DFF mentee and Rising Star winner, credits the showcase for successfully launching her career. 'Apart from the equipment I received, DFF was my key to unlocking doors of opportunity. I learnt the business of fashion, networked, and eventually signed a consignment deal with Edgars. I encourage both emerging and established designers to seize this opportunity as it can elevate your brand.' To apply online, visit the website: For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Tourism stakeholders reject eThekwini Municipality's proposed levy
A helicopter view of the Durban beachfront Image: File The eThekwini Municipality's recent proposal to introduce a tourism levy has sparked significant opposition from local tourism bodies, highlighting the challenges and complexities facing Durban's tourism sector. The city's Economic Development and Planning Committee recently recommended that Durban Tourism initiate a comprehensive feasibility study on the potential introduction of a tourism levy in eThekwini. According to the City, the purpose of the study is to explore the practicality, structure, and potential impact of such a levy before any final decisions are made. "The proposed levy aims to establish a dedicated, ring-fenced funding mechanism to support the marketing of Durban as a tourism destination of choice both locally and internationally, and to drive tourism-related innovations and initiatives. "The ultimate goal is to reduce reliance on municipal funding and improve long-term financial sustainability within the tourism sector," read a statement issued by the municipality. Durban Tourism has been tasked to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the national Department of Tourism, South African Tourism, local tourism boards, industry associations, community organisations and the private sector. Following this it is expected to present its findings and recommendations to the committee. Brett Tungay, chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) for the east coast, said they were opposed to the idea. He said most hotels were already paying a 1% Tourism Marketing SA (TOMSA) levy, for travel services in South Africa. "We will definitely not allow this to happen. The City has not engaged with the private sector in a meaningful discord yet regarding this. KwaZulu-Natal as a tourism destination is yet to recover to post Covid levels. We are still 20% down on pre-Covid levels. The foreign numbers into the province is still about 80% down. It is not as if we are in a flourishing tourism environment that has excess profit that we can throw at the city," he said. Tungay said any new levy would have to be borne by the properties. "It will affect the bottom line of all the hotels and resorts in Durban. In an environment where we are trying to grow and trying to encourage employment this is not what we need. "I would rather see the City improve on its water billing and rates collections," said Tungay. He said cities around the world that charge a tourism levy have functioning municipalities. "The City needs to look at how they can tighten the belt first and get everything running properly. They must realise that tourism marketing benefits the entire city," he said. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council, also cited the TOMSA levy, adding that imposing another levy would be unfair on the sector. "There is no other sector that has a levy, so it will be unfair to impose a levy on tourism when you don't impose a levy on anybody else who operates in any different way within the municipality. "We all pay rates and taxes and other dues, why introduce something that is targeted to one sector and not targeted to others? Why impose something to say it's the basis for destination marketing?" questioned Tshivhengwa. He said there were many municipalities with functioning tourism bodies. "What the municipality needs to do is fund destination marketing and make sure they realise the benefits. If they fund it, the return on investment is far greater. "There are many other models out there that are very successful. Cape Town Tourism has a different model where it's not necessarily funded directly through the municipality," he said. Tshivhengwa said the municipality needed to fix its infrastructure to attract tourists. "Fix the beaches and make sure there is no sewage going into the beaches and ensure it's a safe place. There will then be more economic activity and those in the tourism sector will derive benefits and be able to create employment. But to say you are going to impose a statutory levy and not do it for any other industry, is unfair. "Durban has not been getting the lion's share of tourists and the problem is infrastructure. You can go and market all you want, but if the beaches and water is not clean and we don't deal with issues of safety and security, no one is going to go there," he said. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
DHC to host free screening of God's Work
A MOVIE inspired by the homeless in eThekwini, debuting at the 46th Durban International Film Festival, will be screened for free at the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) today, at 13:00, and at Watercrest Ster-Kinekor on Sunday, July 27, at 17:00. The film is already receiving rave reviews. An audience member at the SA premiere on Sunday at Suncoast confirmed the impact that God's Work elicits. 'It makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable … in all the right ways,' said the viewer. God's Work, billed as 'a portrait of resilience, a meditation on memory, and an unflinching gaze into the unseen lives of those discarded by the world', is directed by Durban-based award-winning director and writer, Michael James, and produced by Sithabile Mkhize alongside co-producer Marco Orsin. James was inspired to make God's Work while volunteering at DHC during the lockdown. The DHC, working with the eThekwini Municipality and other NGOs and faith communities, organised emergency shelters for 1500 people across Durban during the pandemic. The centre itself hosted 100 sick and disabled homeless men whom James spent time chatting to, and it inspired him to tell their stories on film. Also Read: SA film showcases Durban beachfront globally 'The film should make audiences feel discomfort,' said Dr Raymond Perrier, director of the DHC. 'And yes, something must be done. Leaders need to speak out, and the politicians and religious leaders need to listen, and respond, and support all of us endeavouring to make a difference.' The film is set in the heart of Durban. A derelict building offers a fragile sanctuary to a group of homeless men surviving on society's margins. Blurring the line between reality and fiction, the film follows Simphiwe, played by SAFTA award-winning actor Thobani Nzuza (eHostela, Uzalo, DiepCity), and his crew as they navigate addiction, poverty, performative politics, and the lure of fleeting fame. With Simphiwe fighting demons only he can see, and moving performances by a strong supporting cast, including Mbulelo Radebe, Omega Mncube, Siya Xaba, Zenzo Msomi and Nduduzo Khowa, the film is a raw exploration of survival, brotherhood, and the human desire to be seen before disappearing. 'This is not just a film about homelessness, it's a story about power, loss, resistance — and what it costs to stay human in a world that's abandoned its soul,' said Mkhize. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
