India's valuable lessons for KwaZulu-Natal

INDIA'S successful strategies in flood defence and management offer valuable lessons for KwaZulu-Natal.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer highlighted several key areas where the province could potentially benefit from adopting India’s innovative approaches.

Meyer recently participated in a high-level political forum panel discussion as part of the Kerala Urban Conclave programme in Kochi, India. The programme included engagements by ministers, mayors and councillors on urban development, sustainability and growth drivers.

The MEC led a delegation that included officials from the KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the KZN Office of the Premier, and eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba.

Meyer said they were in Kochi to engage, not only to learn, but also to share their experiences of building more resilient infrastructure that could meet the modern demands.

During his address, Meyer said the climate was changing at an accelerated rate, changing how people interact with nature and their environment.

“Here, at this vital conclave, we asked: how do we plan our cities, how do we build our infrastructure, to meet these needs.

“We must build in a way we can say to each other, ‘I see you, but also say to Mother Nature, ‘we see the divinity in you,” Meyer said.