Extreme climate events are projected to increase in frequency and severity, heightening their impacts. This highlights a pressing need for effective disaster risk reduction strategies, improved infrastructure, and community resilience initiatives. In response, the HSRC conducted an empirical study on climate change, examining the vulnerability of communities in the townships of Muyexe and Nkowankowa, Limpopo, and their perceptions of drought and flood disasters. By Fhulufhelo Tshililo, Gcina Malandela, Tshegofatso Ramaphakela, Caiphus Baloyi, Fanelesibonge Masinga, Wilfred Lunga and Charles Hongoro
AI image, generated by Freepik
Climate change is among the greatest challenges of the 21st century. According to the Sixth United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, extreme weather events – including droughts, floods, storms, heatwaves, and cyclones – are projected to become more frequent and have greater financial repercussions. South Africa, with its semi-arid climate and rainfall variability, is particularly vulnerable to such events.
In the past two years, 80 reported disasters in South Africa have affected over 22 million people, costing more than R113 billion. In April 2022, KwaZulu-Natal experienced its worst floods on record. The floods caused the deaths of at least 459 people, displaced more than 40,000 people, destroyed more than 12,000 homes, and left 45,000 people temporarily unemployed. The losses caused by the floods were estimated at R17 billion.
South Africa also experiences frequent droughts, which significantly impact agriculture – a critical sector of the country’s economy. These setbacks negatively affect employment opportunities, food security, foreign exchange and household incomes.
Subsistence farming plays a significant role in food security and income generation for households. Therefore, subsistence farmers who rely on rainfed agriculture are especially vulnerable to drought, which reduces production, increasing food insecurity and loss of income.
Drought also drives up food prices due to reduced yields, severely affecting poor households that already spend a large portion of their income on food and the worsening food insecurity. The devastating impacts of extreme climatic events in South Africa underscore the urgent need for effective disaster risk reduction strategies through comprehensive policy interventions and local community-based actions.
Assessing climate vulnerability in Muyexe and Nkowankowa
Between January and April 2023, a multidisciplinary HSRC research team studied the impact of climate change in the townships of Muyexe and Nkowankowa in the Mopani District of Limpopo, focusing on community vulnerability and perceptions of drought and flood disasters.
Researchers collected data using transect walks, a systematic method of walking through specific areas affected by hazards, following a predefined path to observe, document, and analyse the spatial distribution and impacts of the hazards. They also conducted key informant interviews and focus group discussions with government officials, residents and community leaders.
Their findings revealed that human activities and poor development practices, such as inadequate urban planning, inadequate infrastructure, rapid population growth, and the mushrooming of informal settlements, worsened extreme climate disasters in these areas. Socioeconomic inequalities and poverty further compound the risks.
Flooding at disaster levels
During key informant interviews and focus group discussions, participants indicated that ageing infrastructure and poor maintenance due to limited funding from local and central governments exacerbated the impact of these disasters. In Nkowankowa, part of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, flooding is the most frequent climate-related disaster. This was primarily driven by developmental issues, such as inadequate drainage systems, non-compliance with by-laws, and the failure of officials to enforce regulations.
To mitigate the impacts of flooding, residents employed several strategies, such as the “Le-guba” strategy, constructing furrows around houses, creating culverts on roads to divert water, and using sandbags to block water intrusion. In severe flooding cases, temporary relocation was a last resort, particularly in Nkowankowa. Despite these efforts, Nkowankowa experiences disaster-level flooding, posing significant threats to human security and livelihoods. The lack of preparedness has intensified the severity of these disasters.
Droughts in Muyexe: farmers losing hope
Muyexe, located in the arid region of the Mopani District, experiences severe water shortages due to regular droughts. It has a lack of infrastructure for water services, and boreholes serve as its primary water source. The local economy relies heavily on agriculture and water-dependent trades such as brickmaking and beauty salons, which make them vulnerable to the impacts of droughts.
Farmers reported that they felt a profound sense of hopelessness during dry periods. The situation is further strained by wildlife encroachment from the Kruger National Park, as animals occasionally escape in search of food, adding to the community’s challenges. During droughts, communities compete with wildlife for limited water resources, increasing their exposure to waterborne diseases. Addressing these underlying problems is critical to reducing disaster risks and building resilience in vulnerable communities.
Recommendations for climate resilience
1. Flood management in Nkowankowa
Due to its location, floods are inevitable in Nkowankowa, and the focus should shift to long-term, sustainable flood management strategies guided by a stormwater master plan, which will help to manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. This could include:
- wetland restoration to absorb excess water and sustainable urban planning to protect informal settlements, which are often the most vulnerable;
- the upgrading of drainage systems to prevent waterlogging in residential and agricultural areas;
- the construction of retention ponds, levees and floodwalls to manage and control water flow during heavy rains;
- green infrastructure like rain gardens and permeable pavements;
- early warning systems for timely evacuation during floods (integrated with the South African Weather Service, which operates a Flood Early Warning System that monitors rainfall, river levels and weather); and
- community engagement, as local indigenous knowledge can significantly enhance disaster risk management.
The flood mitigation strategies – including infrastructure development, the “Le-guba” strategy, constructing furrows around houses, building culverts on roads, and floodplain management – are potential solutions that need to be explored to develop effective, community-friendly solutions to weather-related hazards in Limpopo.
2. Drought resilience in Muyexe
In Muyexe, where arid conditions prevail, a multifaceted approach is essential to improving resilience and sustainability. This includes strategies that:
- encourage farmers to cultivate drought-resistant crops like sorghum and millet, which are better suited to water-scarce environments;
- implement soil conservation techniques such as mulching, cover cropping, and no-till farming to retain soil moisture and improve soil health; and
- develop and disseminate drought forecasts and weather advisories via mobile alerts, radio, or community meetings, while linking these warnings with preparedness plans, to ensure timely action.
Conclusion
Nkowankowa and Muyexe require tailored climate adaptation strategies to address their distinct vulnerabilities. Community involvement and capacity building are essential for ensuring the long-term success of these interventions.
Research contacts:
Fhulufhelo Tshililo (senior researcher), Gcina Malandela and Tshegofatso Ramaphakela (master’s research trainees); Caiphus Baloyi and Fanelesibonge Masinga (PhD research trainees); Dr Wilfred Lunga (chief research specialist); and Prof. Charles Hongoro (strategic lead) in the HSRC’s Developmental, Capable and Ethical State research division
