South Africa Declares National Disaster As Flooding Death Toll Hits 92

South Africa is officially under a state of national disaster after devastating floods swept through the Eastern Cape, claiming at least 92 lives and displacing thousands more. The scale of the destruction has sent shockwaves across the country, with many calling it one of the worst climate-related tragedies in recent memory.

In Mthatha, one of the hardest-hit towns, grief was heavy in the air as government officials, religious leaders, and residents gathered for a provincial Day of Mourning at King Sabatha Dalindyebo TVET College one of the few public institutions that escaped the worst of the storm’s damage.

“We Have Not Been the Same Since June 9”
Speaking at the public memorial, Zolile Williams, a member of the provincial executive council, described the moment the disaster struck:

“Since June 9, this province has been hit hard by unprecedented, catastrophic and unimaginable disasters… the Eastern Cape has not been the same.”
The floods were caused by an intense weather system that brought torrential rain, snow, and strong winds across large parts of the country — hitting particularly hard in one of South Africa’s poorest provinces. In its aftermath, roads were washed away, homes destroyed, schools damaged, and hundreds of families left with nothing.

Among the dead are at least two schoolchildren who were swept away while riding in a school bus. The true number of missing is still unknown, and local authorities have urged families to come forward and report any missing persons to help guide ongoing search and rescue operations.

In a formal announcement, Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre, confirmed that the damage and disruption which also affected parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Free State had prompted the national disaster declaration.

This move allows the government to fast-track funding and emergency resources for relief, cleanup, and long-term rebuilding. The declaration will remain in place until conditions improve or are formally reviewed.

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mthatha earlier in the week, offering condolences to victims and pledging government support for recovery efforts. But while his presence was welcomed, there’s been growing criticism over the state’s slow response time and long-standing infrastructure issues in vulnerable communities.

Many of the affected families lived in informal settlements on flood-prone land near rivers areas that have long lacked proper drainage, road access, and safe housing. Activists and residents alike are now calling for not just emergency relief, but real investment in disaster-proof infrastructure going forward.

At the memorial, hundreds of mourners lit candles in honour of those lost. Religious leaders from across the Christian community offered prayers, while volunteers provided counselling and support to grieving families.

But behind the tears and tributes, a deeper truth remains: climate disasters are growing more frequent and more intense, and South Africa’s most vulnerable communities continue to bear the brunt.

As the floodwaters recede, the challenge now turns to rebuilding lives, homes, and hope. For many in the Eastern Cape, the question is no longer if another disaster will come but whether the next time, the system will be ready.