The floods, caused by heavy rainfall and severe weather, have claimed at least 92 lives, with many others still missing. Photo courtesy: SABC News
(The Post News)- A solemn memorial service was held in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, today to honor those who lost their lives in the recent catastrophic floods that began in early June. The event, hosted at King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College, was attended by hundreds of mourners, including government officials, community leaders, rescue workers, and affected families. It served as a Day of Mourning for the province, which has been devastated by the floods.
The floods, caused by heavy rainfall and severe weather, have claimed at least 92 lives, with many others still missing. The situation has left entire communities submerged, with homes, vehicles, and even a school bus swept away by the waters. Among the victims were six schoolchildren and two adults, whose bus was caught in the floodwaters near Mthatha.
In response to the scale of the disaster, the South African government declared a national state of disaster on June 18, enabling emergency aid and resources to be mobilized more effectively. While the declaration has allowed relief efforts to intensify, the region continues to face challenges due to limited rescue resources and the vast scale of destruction. For example, only one helicopter was initially available for search-and-rescue missions, and many remote areas were left stranded for extended periods.
The damage to infrastructure is extensive. Over 127 schools and 20 healthcare facilities were damaged, and thousands of homes were destroyed. Many communities are still without power or clean water, and thousands of families have been displaced. Relief efforts, led by local authorities and NGOs like Gift of the Givers, have been working to distribute food, water, blankets, and other necessities to affected areas.
During the memorial service, local leaders, including Zolile Williams, Eastern Cape Executive Council member, expressed their deep sorrow. Williams acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the disaster, saying, “Since June 9, this province has been hit hard by catastrophic and unimaginable disasters.”
In addition to mourning the loss of life, the memorial service underscored the pressing need for greater investment in infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Many residents criticized the slow response in some areas, and there have been calls for relocating vulnerable communities from flood-prone zones. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the affected regions and expressed his condolences, while also pledging to continue supporting recovery efforts.
As search-and-rescue teams continue their work, the focus has now shifted to long-term rebuilding. The government has committed to allocating funds for the recovery process, but for now, the people of the Eastern Cape are united in their grief and resilience. The memorial service served as both a moment of remembrance and a call to action for the recovery of the region.
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