Just a month ago, Business Times brought the good tidings that investor confidence in KwaZulu-Natal was returning after being battered in the wake of the July violence, with activity in Durban’s logistics and industrial property market gaining momentum.
In the past two days, a very distressing picture has started to emerge, one that could dash hopes that the province is on the road to economic recovery. Widespread floods are wreaking havoc across the length and breadth of the province, from KwaDukuza in the north to Margate in the south.
Images of collapsed roads, sinkholes and washed-away bridges have flooded social media platforms after torrential rains started on Monday night.
With the Easter weekend just days away, the floods are also eroding any hopes of a lucrative period for the hospitality industry reeling from pandemic restrictions, with seaside towns such as Margate on the South Coast and Umdloti, north of Durban, already counting the cost.
In Margate, in the 24-hour period till Tuesday morning, 311mm of rain was recorded. Other exceptionally high rainfall stats were recorded in Mount Edgecombe and Pennington South (307mm) and Virginia (304mm).
But these numbers become small measured against the cost of human lives and the loss to businesses, homes and property.
In the July riots, an estimated R52bn was lost in businesses and damages in KZN and Gauteng, with KZN bearing the brunt.
The onslaught continues. Not only is water and electricity supply now compromised, but with a fresh round of load-shedding announced by Eskom, the odds are stacking up.
While the ports have not yet been closed, roads leading into it are already no-go areas, with shipping containers washed away and seen floating along the N2 and even in the ocean.
In KwaNdengezi near Pinetown, reports have come in that the community is trapped as the single access road has been blocked due to landslides. But the affected areas are growing rapidly and so is the number of people in distress.
Amid the despair, relief organisations such as Meals on Wheels and Gift of the Givers have already rolled up their sleeves to make sure destitute residents are assisted, but depending on the rain, and infrastructure damage, a lot more might be needed in the coming days and weeks.
For now, the major N3 route from Joburg to KZN is still open, so much-needed food supplies will be able to reach the province.
Authorities have warned that more rain is predicted and have urged people to travel only when necessary. South Africans need to heed this request to ensure no pressure is added to the already heavy load faced by emergency and rescue teams and traffic personnel.
No need to cancel holiday plans though, just postpone. Those establishments and businesses still desperately need your support.
By Tuesday afternoon, there was no word from the presidency on declaring KZN the disaster zone that it is or pledging assistance to the province.
This is the time for national government to offer air and land support as well as relief packages for devastated communities.
This is the type of leadership our people need.
