Remarks By Deputy Minister Dr Namane Dickson Masemola: 2024 International Day For Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) – Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Programme Director – Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Letsike

Minister of COGTA

Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leadership

Deputy Minister of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

MEC of COGHSTA

Members of academia

Government officials,

Our most important guests, the learners

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning

It is an honor for me to be in your midst at this providential occasion which commemorates the empowerment of our communities through the observation of the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), under the auspices of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).

The UNISDR is a global focal point for disaster risk reduction. It is a system that promotes partnerships of a broad range of actors, all of which have essential roles to play in supporting nations and communities to reduce their disaster risks in pursuit of sustainable development objectives. These partners include governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental and non-governmental organizations, international financial institutions, scientific and technical bodies and specialized networks as well as civil society and the private sector.

South Africa’s unwavering commitment to institutions of progressive multilateralism is demonstrated through her participation in the UNISDR programmes marked by, inter alia, the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction. The International Day for Disaster Reduction started in 1989 with the approval by the United Nations General Assembly, which recognizes the International Day for Disaster Reduction as an instrument fit for purpose to promote a global culture of disaster reduction, through disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

The International Day for Disaster Reduction is a day reserved to acknowledge the ever-present risk of disasters whether natural or manmade. But most importantly, it is a day to inculcate a universal culture of risk averse behaviour through raising awareness and empowering communities to champion disaster risk reduction. Cognisant of the reality that disasters will happen, the onus is on preparedness and responsiveness to enable seamless recovery. To this effect, we need to build back better through adaptation for more disaster resilient communities and nations as well as infrastructure. Our achievements of these efforts as a country depend on our commitment to put in place and implement measures and interventions that are aimed at reducing disaster risks as a concern for poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The 2024 IDDR theme ‘The role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future, resonates well with 2007 UNISDR Annual Theme: Disaster Risk Reduction begins at school which aims at informing and mobilizing governments, communities and individuals to ensure that disaster risk reduction is fully integrated into school curricula in high risk countries and that school buildings are built or retrofitted to withstand natural hazards. Owing to the call to action explicit in this theme, the country has seen a number of institutions of higher learning developing and implementing disaster management Programmes, which include, but are not limited to the University of Venda, University of the Free State, Durban University of Technology, etc. Furthermore, in the basic education sector, a host of interventions are being implemented to make school buildings safer for learning and teaching.

Despite the campaigns that were launched globally since the inception of UNISDR in 1989, the 2022 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) indicates that risk creation overshadows risk reduction and that human action is the main cause and contributor to risk creation putting our world at risk. This calls for concerted efforts towards transforming governance for a resilient future.

Ladies and gentlemen

The contribution of the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as the National Disaster Management Centre in commemorating the 2024 International Day for Disaster Reduction, is through partnership with the Limpopo Provincial Government and specifically the Capricorn District Municipality and Polokwane Local Municipality, to remind the community of the province that disaster risk reduction is our responsibility as individuals, sectors, communities and nations.

In light of this, I would like to make a clarion call, firstly to municipalities, to prioritize the maintenance of infrastructure particularly the clearing of the drainage systems from foreign debris as we approach the rainy season that is characterized by floods.

Secondly, I would like to implore each of us, from learners to parents, and sectors of society alike, to please desist from littering to keep the drainage systems free of material that will result in blockages.

Thirdly, may we all respect and enforce compliance with bylaws governing especially human settlements, to prevent unnecessary disasters by settling in areas designated for human settlements.

As we all know that the 13^th of October falls on Sunday this year, we have therefore decided to hold these two days of commemoration here in Capricorn District Municipality on the 10^th and 11 October respectively, mainly to strengthen the municipality ‘s disaster risk reduction interventions and to enhance community resilience to disaster risks.

As the leadership of the Department administering the Disaster Management Act, 2002 and its policy framework, the National Disaster Management Framework, 2005, we are convinced that the ideas that have and will be shared in this session and the preceding ones can inform policy and operational improvement around disaster risk reduction measures.

In conclusion, I wish everyone a successful session under the slogan: “Disaster Management is Everybody’s Business’’ and by our collective participation we will be contributing to a resilient future.

So, as we embark on this important journey, let us carry with us the spirit of empowerment and solidarity. Let us commit to working hand in hand, learning from one another, and taking meaningful steps towards reducing disaster risks in our communities.

Thank you for being here, and for your dedication to creating a safer, more resilient future for all. Let us make this day a turning point in our collective efforts toward disaster risk reduction!

I thank you!