Boksburg: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa emphasised on Tuesday that adopting prevention-oriented, proactive strategies is essential for disaster management. 'By prioritising risk assessment, mitigation efforts, and community preparedness, we can significantly reduce the potential impact of disasters before they strike,' the Minister said.

According to South African Government News Agency, addressing the National Disaster Management Strategic Indaba at Emperors Palace in Boksburg, Johannesburg, Hlabisa highlighted the growing intensity and frequency of disasters in recent years, underscoring the urgent need to move beyond traditional reactive disaster management strategies. The Minister stated that the historical approach, focusing primarily on responding to disasters after they occur, 'has proven insufficient in the face of escalating natural and man-made threats.'

Held under the theme: 'Strengthening Disaster Management Functions across the country', the Indaba gathered representatives from government, practitioners, academia, civil society, and the private sector to reinforce a prevention-focused approach to disaster management. Hlabisa described the gathering as a critical opportunity to reshape South Africa's disaster management system into one that is proactive, integrated, and effective.

The Minister emphasised the need for a decisive shift from fragmented, reactive responses toward a coherent, prevention-focused, and risk-informed disaster management system. He highlighted significant and intensifying disaster risks faced by the country, including floods, droughts, wildfires, severe storms, and tornadoes, driven by climate change, rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation, and socio-economic inequality.

Hlabisa cited recent disasters as evidence of the country's vulnerability, including the April 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal, which displaced more than 40,000 people and claimed over 500 lives. He also mentioned severe flooding in the Eastern Cape in June 2025, resulting in over 200 fatalities, and more recent floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga in early 2026, which led to loss of life, displacement of families, and extensive damage to critical infrastructure.

Beyond flooding, persistent threats from severe droughts, wildfires, and storms continue to disrupt agricultural production, local economies, and livelihoods across provinces. Vulnerable groups bear the greatest burden, largely due to pre-existing inequalities and limited access to resources and services.

While South Africa has a solid legislative framework, including the Disaster Management Act of 2002 and the National Disaster Management Framework, Hlabisa noted that 'legislation alone cannot guarantee success.' He stressed that the effectiveness of these frameworks hinges on strong leadership, effective coordination, diligent enforcement, and comprehensive implementation.

Proactive strategies are essential, with a fundamental transition to prevention-oriented strategies becoming the cornerstone of disaster management. By prioritising risk assessment, mitigation efforts, and community preparedness, the country can significantly reduce the potential impact of disasters. 'The familiar phrase 'prevention is better than cure,' transcends mere clich©; it represents a vital strategic imperative,' Hlabisa said.

The Minister called for fully functional and well-resourced Disaster Management Centres in all municipalities, supported by funded and regularly updated disaster management plans. He stressed the importance of empowering communities as active partners in planning and implementing strategies, and the need for effective early warning systems that are technologically advanced and capable of disseminating timely alerts and information through multiple channels.

Hlabisa underscored the importance of resilient infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and housing, which must be meticulously designed, constructed, and maintained to endure the impacts of natural hazards. He highlighted the need for ongoing maintenance of infrastructure to prevent deterioration and vulnerability during critical moments.