South Africa has declared a national state of disaster following catastrophic flooding in the Eastern Cape, where torrential rains and violent weather have killed at least 92 people and displaced thousands more.
In response to the devastation, the provincial government hosted a memorial ceremony on Thursday at the King Sabatha Dalindyebo TVET College in Mthatha, one of the few educational facilities still standing after the floods. The event also served as a Day of Mourning for those lost to the disaster.
Addressing mourners at the service, Zolile Williams, a member of the provincial executive council, spoke about the emotional and physical toll the floods have inflicted on communities.
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“Since June 9, this province has been hit hard by unprecedented, catastrophic and unimaginable disasters, where in the whole of the province, about 92 people have perished,” said Williams in an AP report.
“Since that day, the Eastern Cape has not been the same. It is the first time we have experienced so many dead bodies, some of whom have not yet been found.”
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The storm system that swept through the province brought intense rainfall, snow, and high winds, turning some of South Africa’s most impoverished communities into disaster zones. Homes, schools, and public infrastructure were severely damaged, while some roads remain impassable.
Among the missing are at least two schoolchildren who were swept away while riding in a bus, according to local media. Officials fear that the number of unaccounted persons could rise, and have urged families to report missing loved ones to assist ongoing rescue efforts.
The disaster has particularly impacted informal settlements and floodplain communities situated close to riverbanks, where infrastructure was weakest. The government’s slow response and years of neglect in these areas have sparked criticism from residents and civil society groups.
During his visit to Mthatha earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa witnessed the devastation firsthand in the worst-hit region. His administration is under growing pressure to improve disaster readiness and urban planning in vulnerable provinces.
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In a notice issued Wednesday, Elias Sithole, director of the National Disaster Management Centre, explained that the declaration of disaster was prompted by widespread property destruction and the breakdown of essential services, not only in the Eastern Cape but also in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the Western Cape.
The state of disaster empowers the national government to mobilize emergency funds for relief, recovery, and long-term rebuilding. It will remain in effect until conditions improve significantly or the declaration is formally withdrawn.
At Thursday’s memorial, religious leaders from various Christian denominations joined grieving families to light candles in remembrance of the dead, an act of communal solidarity amid a tragedy that has tested the resolve of the province.
