OPINION |Multi-Actors Required: Government Can’t Tackle South Africa’s Disaster Response Alone – By Dr. Alex Malapane, PhD
The recent snowstorms that impacted KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State highlighted significant shortcomings in South Africa’s ability to manage and respond to natural disasters. While the South African Weather Service (SAWS) fulfilled its responsibility by issuing long-range and short-term weather warnings, the fragmented response from municipalities, emergency services, and other key actors revealed the need for improved coordination across the disaster management framework. These incidents emphasise the necessity of a comprehensive, multi-party approach, where all relevant stakeholders are prepared to act promptly when extreme weather occurs, utilising accurate data provided by SAWS while respecting its exclusive authority to issue weather advisories.
During my time at SAWS, I participated in a cloudebate series hosted by the University of Johannesburg’s 4IR Hub, focusing on “Weathering the Storm.” In that cloudebate series, I highlighted the importance of involving multiple entities in disaster response. While SAWS remains the sole authority for providing weather warnings, once these alerts are issued, the responsibility for preparedness, response, and mitigation must be shared among various government departments, municipalities, private sector players, and community organisations. The recent September snowstorms serve as a reminder of how a lack of integration and planning can worsen the impacts of natural disasters.
To prevent future crises from escalating, a more cohesive approach must be adopted. When SAWS issues long-range forecasts predicting severe weather, such as snow or heavy rainfall, these alerts should trigger coordinated actions at multiple levels of government. Municipalities should begin preparing roads and infrastructure, while emergency services must be put on standby for rapid response. The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) plays a crucial role in this coordination, ensuring that every level of government from local to national is aligned and ready to act.
In countries like Japan and the United States, long-range weather forecasts prompt immediate actions from various entities, ensuring that necessary preparations are made in advance. South Africa should adopt a similar model, where long-range forecasts serve as a call to action for multiple stakeholders, not just government departments. Clear, proactive disaster management plans must be established so that when SAWS issues an alert, there is a structured, multi-party response. This should include measures such as mobilising emergency services and readying evacuation centres when necessary.
One of the most significant challenges during the recent September snowstorms was the breakdown in communication. While those in urban centres received regular weather updates through television and radio, many rural and remote areas were left unaware of the storm’s severity. This gap in communication highlights the urgent need for a broader strategy that extends beyond traditional media outlets. Community radio stations, social media platforms, and mobile networks should be enlisted to ensure that everyone, regardless of location, receives critical weather updates in real time. These communications must also be delivered in all official languages to ensure accessibility for all South Africans.
Another important factor in improving South Africa’s disaster response is the formalisation of public-private partnerships (PPPs). The private sector, particularly companies with communication abilities, mobile networking companies, logistics and transport capacity, can play a vital role in supporting emergency response efforts. During the recent September snowstorms, many motorists were stranded for hours because state emergency services were overwhelmed. By integrating private logistics firms into the disaster response framework, additional resources could be deployed more swiftly to assist with road clearing, supply deliveries, and ensuring public safety. International examples, such as Canada, where private contractors assist with snow removal and emergency logistics, offer a valuable model for South Africa to consider.
Moreover, municipalities must upgrade their infrastructure, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather events. The snowstorms left many roads impassable, causing significant disruption. Countries like Norway and Canada regularly pre-treat roads with salt and sand before snowstorms to enhance safety and maintain accessibility. South African municipalities supported by their provincial government departments should implement similar strategies, particularly in regions vulnerable to extreme weather. By leveraging SAWS’ long-range weather data, municipalities through their provincial structured support can prepare in advance and limit the impact of extreme weather on infrastructure and public safety.
Emerging technology also presents opportunities to enhance disaster response. For instance, the use of drones could have significantly improved emergency response efforts during the September snowstorms. Drones can be deployed to assess road conditions, locate stranded motorists, and deliver essential supplies in hard-to-reach areas. Integrating such technology into South Africa’s disaster management framework would not only enhance situational awareness but also enable more targeted and efficient responses. This would be particularly beneficial in conjunction with the real-time weather data provided by SAWS, offering a comprehensive view of conditions on the ground.
Coordination between various levels of government is another area requiring attention. South Africa’s decentralised governance structure often leads to fragmented responses to extreme weather. When SAWS issues long-range forecasts, these should be accompanied by a coordinated response plan that involves national, provincial, and local governments. A formal disaster response task force, meeting regularly to assess risks and preparedness, would ensure that all parties are aligned and working towards a common goal. New Zealand’s Civil Defence system offers a useful example in this regard, promoting seamless collaboration between different government levels during emergencies.
Public education is essential for building resilience. While SAWS plays a crucial role in issuing warnings, citizens must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to act effectively on these alerts. Regular community-based workshops and public awareness campaigns should be rolled out to ensure that people understand how to respond when a weather alert is issued. This could include drills on evacuation routes, emergency supply storage, and understanding weather warnings, particularly in high-risk areas.
While SAWS continue to play its vital role in providing weather forecasts and warnings, once those alerts are issued, the responsibility must be shared among government entities, private companies, and community organisations. The recent snowstorm reminds us of the potential for improvement, presenting an opportunity to refine our response to extreme weather and, ultimately, to save lives and protect livelihoods.
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About the Author: Dr. Alex Malapane is a prominent South African executive, strategist, conference speaker & facilitator, multidisciplinary researcher as well as an independent analyst. He offers innovative methods and comprehensive approach to address complex issues, and deliver impactful insights and advance knowledge in diverse fields.
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