Disasters and Disaster Risk Management in South Africa

The December 2004-January 2005 floods in the Garden Route region of the Southern Cape in South Africa have had a significant impact on local development and economic activities, tourism products andlocal institutions. This article aims to capture the dynamism between a number of related fields within the context of transdisciplinary research. Qualitative research methods were used to target a representative sample of the affected population. This article considers the history of the flooding events of December 2004/January 2005 along the Garden Route, as well as the manner in which emergency/disaster management personnel responded to the crisis. The effect of the floods on the tourism sector along the Garden Route was researched in general and the effects of the floods on tourists, local residents, and particularly communities in disadvantaged areas were specifically determined. The research reflects on the disaster risk management strategies that were in place at the time of the floods to determine what local authorities could have done to cope with the potential conditions of crisis. The research found that although some tourism products were severely affected, the 2004/2005 floods did not have a significant impact on the number of tourists frequenting the area. In terms of disaster risk management, concerns remain regarding the lack of the following factors: capacity, adequate early warning systems, proper infrastructure maintenance, local institutions, and an in-depth understanding of the disaster risk profile of the area.

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Barriers to risk reduction: Dontse Yakhe, South Africa

Disaster Prevention and Management An International Journal ◽

10.1108/dpm-03-2015-0056 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 651-669 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wendy Harte ◽

Merle Sowman ◽

Peter Hastings ◽

Iraphne Childs

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Risk Management ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Disaster Risk ◽

Disaster Risk Management ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Approach ◽

Management Policies ◽

Stakeholder Interactions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify hazard risks and factors impeding the implementation of disaster risk management policies and strategies in Dontse Yakhe in Hout Bay, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach was selected for this research. Interviews were conducted with community leaders and other relevant government and civil society stakeholders. Insights and perceptions of Dontse Yakhe residents were obtained from a focus group interview. Secondary data sources were reviewed and field observations made. Findings – The findings reveal a number of key risks and a complex web of geographical, political, social and environmental factors, and stakeholder interactions, prioritisations and decision making that has created barriers to the implementation of the aims and objectives of disaster risk management policies and strategies in Dontse Yakhe. Originality/value – The contribution of the research is that it provides insight into the complex factors that are stalling development and infrastructure provision, and implementation of risk reduction strategies, in Dontse Yakhe as outlined in disaster risk management policies and strategies, demonstrating a gap between policy rhetoric and practice.

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Preliminary assessment of the gender aspects of disaster vulnerability and loss of human life in South Africa

Jàmbá Journal of Disaster Risk Studies ◽

10.4102/jamba.v5i2.84 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Roman Tandlich ◽

Tatenda G. Chirenda ◽

Chandra S.S. Srinivas

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Risk Management ◽

Human Development ◽

Human Life ◽

Disaster Risk ◽

Disaster Risk Management ◽

Preliminary Assessment ◽

Disaster Vulnerability ◽

Life Expectancy At Birth ◽

Gender Aspects

South Africa has reached a medium level of human development and has a heterogeneous situation with respect to disaster risk management. In this article, a preliminary assessment of the gender aspects of disaster vulnerability and fatalities is presented. The United Nations, the Health Systems Trust and Statistics South Africa were used as data sources for the following gender-segregated values: the life expectancy at birth, unemployment rates, the human development index values, the maternal mortality rates and the number of deaths from unnatural and non-natural causes. The relevant inequality indices were then calculated and used to draw conclusions regarding the gender aspects of disaster risk management in South Africa. Results of the calculations indicate that between 1980 and 2011 men were 10% more vulnerable with respect to their health status. However, the gender differences have been decreasing in recent years. Access of women to healthcare is decreasing with time, potentially decreasing the recovery potential of whole families. Women are more economically vulnerable than men in South Africa, as they are 16.3% – 33% more likely to be unemployed than men. Educational status of both genders in South Africa is comparable based on literacy and enrolment rates at primary and secondary level. On the other hand, men are five times more likely to suffer fatal injuries during disasters.

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The capacity of personnel in disaster risk management in South African municipalities

The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa ◽

10.4102/td.v13i1.427 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gideon J. Wentink ◽

Dewald Van Niekerk

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Risk Management ◽

South African ◽

Disaster Management ◽

Disaster Risk ◽

Transformation Process ◽

Disaster Risk Management ◽

Management Framework ◽

New Era ◽

National Disaster

Since 1994, fundamental transformation in South Africa in terms of disaster risk reduction taken place. The transformation process led to the promulgation of the Disaster Management Act (57/2002) (DMA) that introduced a new era of disaster risk management (DRM) in South Africa. The National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) that followed in 2005 put clear guidelines in place for implementing the DMA and emphasised the importance of the integration and coordination of DRM activities in all spheres of government. To adhere to the requirements of the DMA regarding personnel, certain DRM structures like interdepartmental committees, disaster management centres, disaster management frameworks and disaster management advisory forums must be in place. Since the promulgation of the DMA in 2003, South African municipalities have had ample time to get the structures in place. This article tries to evaluate the degree to which South African municipalities adhere to the requirements of the DMA in terms of personnel. Municipalities were selected per province, and the research is based on a 20% representative sample of all 279 municipalities in South Africa. A mixed method of research was followed. The result of this research showed a clear lack of implementation in terms of the DMA. A number of disaster management personnel work in other municipal departments, meaning that their attention cannot fully be focused on activities relating to DRM.

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CLOUD-BASED INTEGRATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF ADDRESS DATA FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT – A SOUTH AFRICAN CASE STUDY

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences ◽

10.5194/isprs-archives-xliv-3-w1-2020-145-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol XLIV-3/W1-2020 ◽

pp. 145-150

Author(s):

G. Tredrea ◽

S. Coetzee ◽

V. Rautenbach

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Risk Management ◽

South African ◽

Disaster Risk ◽

Political Support ◽

International Standards ◽

Disaster Risk Management ◽

National Standard ◽

Use Of Resources ◽

Address Data

Abstract. Addresses are essential for disaster risk management and response because they are used to locate people affected by a disaster or at risk of being affected. South Africa is vulnerable to disasters, however, despite a legislative framework for supporting disaster risk management that meets international standards, implementation falls short due to underfunding, poor interdepartmental coordination and lack of political support. The importance of cross jurisdictional address data was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 when the geocoding of positive cases was hindered due to the lack of such address data in South Africa. In this paper, we present first results about a cloud-based tool for integrating address data from multiple municipalities into a single address dataset that conforms to the South African National Standard, SANS 1883-2:2017, Geographic information – Addresses: Part 2: Address data exchange. We reviewed and evaluated three cloud platforms for the prototype implementation. The integrated dataset is maintained in the cloud and therefore readily accessible by relevant organizations. At the same time, processing in the cloud can handle changing volumes of data with elasticity, i.e. computing power can be increased or decreased at short notice, as necessary during a disaster response. Furthermore, processing can be automated, thereby mitigating the risk of reduced manpower due to a disaster. Overall, a properly maintained cloud-based tool can result in more efficient use of resources presenting a viable and interesting alternative for underfunded disaster risk management centres in South Africa and other parts of the world.

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