from FUTHI MBHELE in Durban
DURBAN – BAD weather, blamed on climate change, has again gotten the better of the tourism sector in Durban, KwaZulu Natal.
Bad weather
Again, restaurants have had to close, events have been cancelled, people’s livelihoods have been wrecked and lives of citizens put at risk.
eThekwini has received excessive rains of late, reminiscent of last year’s floods that left hundreds dead and destroyed infrastructure in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
It is the country’s prime tourist destination.
The eThekwini Disaster team has advised residents to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety.
Motorists are urged to exercise caution.
Among these e-hailing drivers, who lamented losses due to the weather.
“Business is quiet,” said Siyanda Mnguni, one of the drivers.
“Besides, it is not safe on some of the roads as they are full of water (flooded).”
Street vendors are also running losses.
“I don’t have a shelter where I sell. As the rain continues, I am losing money. I feed my family with the money from vending,” said Nomthandazo Zindela.
She sells mealies at the KwaMashu bus station.
Vincent Ngubane, eThekwini’s Head of Disaster Management and Emergency Control, said as of the time of the report, there had been no reports of fatalities, injuries or any missing or displaced individuals.
– CAJ News
