Abahlali baseMjondolo’s pioneering approach to climate disaster management in South Africa

ABAHLALI baseMjondolo and other stakeholders are pioneering initiatives that will allow communities to cope with the impact of climate change.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

Thapelo Mohapi from Abahlali baseMjondolo highlighted the critical impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in Durban.

He was speaking at the recent symposium of the 58th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum. Mohapi said that recently they have had an engaging partnership with the eThekwini Municipality.

He said their engagement with the City focuses on disaster preparedness, particularly for the expected disasters in Durban next year (February, March and April). They are addressing how to prepare, what to do during a disaster, and the post-disaster aftermath, including allocating people to temporary relocation areas.

Mohapi said following the 2022 floods, which killed over 300 and displaced 42 000, eThekwini's social movements, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), academia, and governmental organisations resolved to unite as citizens to discuss disaster preparedness.

He said engagements with scientists revealed that in the coming years, the east coast of South Africa must prepare for more frequent and severe weather due to climate change.