Abahlali baseMjondolo’s pioneering approach to climate disaster management

POIGNANT MESSAGE

- THOBEKA NGEMA

AT THE recent symposium of the 58th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Thapelo Mohapi from Abahlali baseMjondolo emphasised that the nature of one’s dwelling - be it a shack or a solid house - does not dictate one’s mindset or capabilities.

This message proved especially poignant as he highlighted the critical impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in Durban.

Mohapi said that recently they have had an engaging partnership with the eThekwini Municipality.

“It is assumed that when you live in the shack and you're poor, your state of thinking is the same as the structure that you are living under,’ Mohapi said.

He said their engagement with the city was focused on disaster preparedness, particularly for the expected disasters in Durban next year (February, March, April). The plan is to address people on how to prepare, what to do during a disaster, and the post-disaster aftermath, including allocating them to temporary relocation areas.