Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

National Disaster

latest news & developments
CAPE TOWN FLOODING

Cape Town storm floods 26 informal settlements and damages more than 10 000 structures

More than 41 000 people have been affected by severe flooding in Cape Town as South Africa declares a national disaster after storms, heavy rain and wind batter multiple provinces

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease outbreak a national disaster. (GCIS)
AGRICULTURE

Ramaphosa declares foot-and-mouth outbreak a national disaster

The president announced a mass vaccination drive of the country’s entire cattle herd as the government moves to limit economic damage, export bans and further losses to farmers

  • Sheree Bega
2 min read
Poet and healer: vangile gantsho, says the G20 Women’s National Shutdown campaign is essential due to the lack of safety of women in South Africa. Photo: Gerard Nartey Photography
ARTS AND ACTIVISM

This is an emergency: The G20 women’s shutdown and the crisis SA can’t ignore

A nationwide shutdown on 21 November demands GBVF be declared a National Disaster, confronting government inaction as the world’s leaders arrive

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
8 min read
It is crucial not to overlook the Apies River as a potential contributor to the situation in Hammanskraal. (Facebook)
APIES RIVER

Cholera in the capital: the search for the source

Another national disaster looms as polluted Apies River may be the prime suspect behind the deadly Tshwane waterborne disease outbreak

  • Basanda Nondlazi
13 min read
The El Niño-induced drought and heatwave in February and March hit crops hard in Southern Africa. (Conrad Bornman/Gallo Images)
AGRISA

Worry about food prices, not heavy rains

Farmers face higher input costs such as hikes in fertilisers and fuel prices as well as the expected 20.5% electricity hike requested by Eskom, says AgriSA

  • Marcia Zali
2 min read
The memorandum was signed by Infrastructure in South Africa, an entity of the department of public works and infrastructure; the national treasury; and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. (Madelene Cronjé/M&G)
CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS

‘Protect your workers’ against coronavirus

The labour department has called on employers to implement measures to minimise threat of Covid-19 to South Africa’s workforce

  • Sarah Smit
2 min read
The past weekend’s ANC conferences proved a major boost for Ramaphosa presidency of the party
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

ANC conferences postponed over Covid-19 threat

A postponement of the party’s internal processes gives President Cyril Ramaphosa breathing space and dents the attempts to move against his control of the ANC

  • Paddy Harper
2 min read
(Oupa Nkosi/M&G)
DEPARTMENT OF CO OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND

Government lifts national drought state of disaster

The national state of disaster over drought has lapsed and will not be renewed, but the Western Cape remains a provincial disaster

  • Sesona Ngqakamba
3 min read