ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ETHEKWINI STRENGTHENS RURAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS THROUGH TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP
EThekwini Municipality is intensifying efforts to safeguard communities against the growing threat of natural disasters, with particular focus on rural areas where vulnerability remains high and recovery resources are often limited.
As part of this commitment, the Municipality will tomorrow, 19 February, host a Traditional Leadership Disaster Management Workshop aimed at equipping and empowering traditional leaders and councillors with strategies and tools to strengthen community resilience.
The engagement will be led by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni and Council Speaker Councillor Thabani Nyawose, alongside senior management from provincial departments and disaster management agencies.
This unified approach underscores government’s shared commitment to safeguarding rural communities.
With floods, severe storms and fires increasingly disrupting lives, communities in rural areas continue to bear the brunt of disasters, often losing lives, homes and livelihoods within a short space of time.
The workshop will bring together traditional leaders, disaster management specialists and government leadership to strengthen collaboration across all spheres.
The objective is to ensure disaster risk reduction becomes a shared and integrated responsibility.
Importantly, the engagement will also integrate traditional knowledge systems with scientific approaches to enhance preparedness, response and recovery.
Traditional leaders will be supported with practical tools to strengthen early warning systems, crisis communication and safer land-use practices within their communities.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover this engagement as follows:
DATE: Thursday, 19 February 2026
TIME: 09h00
VENUE: Pinetown Civic Centre
For media enquiries and to RSVP, contact Sane Shandu on 072 572 8658 or email sanelisiwe.shandu@durban.gov.za
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
