President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in the flood-battered Eastern Cape this morning as the region grapples with one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent memory. The official death toll has surged to 78, up from 49 just two days ago, underscoring the fast-escalating human cost of the ongoing crisis.
Communities Drenched, Lives Lost
Torrential rains have pounded the OR Tambo and Amathole districts, reducing homes to rubble and sweeping away roads, schools, and vital infrastructure. Over 1,000 residents have been displaced, with emergency shelters quickly filling to capacity.
Among the most heartbreaking incidents is the Mthatha school bus tragedy, where a vehicle transporting students was swept off a bridge by violent floodwaters. The children, the driver, and the conductor all lost their lives, a stark reminder of the unforgiving power of the storm.
A Presidential Mission of Compassion and Urgency
President Ramaphosa, flanked by Minister of Cooperative Governance Velenkosini Hlabisa and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, is visiting Dicoligny, Jumba High School, and Slovo Park, where recovery teams continue searching for the missing.
“This is a moment for national unity and swift response,” the Presidency said in a statement, adding that Ramaphosa is personally monitoring relief and recovery operations.
More Rain Ahead – And More Danger
The South African Weather Service has issued fresh warnings of continued rainfall, urging residents to remain on high alert. With soaked ground and swollen rivers, the potential for landslides, further flooding, and infrastructure collapse remains high.
National Response Intensifies
Disaster management teams have been deployed across affected areas, while humanitarian agencies and provincial authorities scramble to provide emergency supplies, shelter, and trauma support. Calls are growing for long-term infrastructure upgrades to prepare vulnerable communities for future climate-driven disasters.
A Nation in Mourning and Mobilization
As the country mourns the loss of innocent lives—many of them children—Ramaphosa’s visit signals both solidarity and urgency, aiming to assure affected families that they are not forgotten in their darkest hour.
