Ramaphosa vows stronger disaster management amid climate change

FILE | President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at an event.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is working on strengthening its disaster management system to ensure a swift response as climate change continues to intensify.

Fossil fuels like oil and coal are the main drivers of climate change.

Ramaphosa made these remarks during an oversight visit to Mpumalanga, where he assessed the damage caused by recent floods.

More than 500 homes were destroyed in the Nkomazi Municipality, and at least 20 people are confirmed dead.

The National Disaster Management Centre has classified the floods in the affected provinces including Mpumalanga and Limpopo as a national disaster.

Ramaphosa highlighted the need for climate damage financing for countries in the Global South, saying they bear the brunt of climate change.

“You may recall that during the G20, South Africa placed the issue of climate change firmly on the agenda, and we argued that there must be finance for climate change damage. And that once there is damage of whatever nature, we should get clear policies at a global level, but more particularly policies that are going to address the needs of the Global South, because we in the Global South are the ones who are suffering the ravages of climate change, when our countries and our nations did not cause it.”

Premier Mandla Ndlovu, alongside senior government officials and representatives from the National Disaster Management Centre, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa who has just arrived at Mjejane, Nkomazi Local Municipality. The Premier and the President are assessing the… pic.twitter.com/pilwbaApO2

— Mpumalanga Provincial Government (@MpumalangaGov) January 19, 2026