By Johnathan Paoli
There is a critical intersection between climate change and cultural preservation, according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Speaking at a Heritage Day celebration in Ficksburg in the Free State, he noted that the recent heavy snowfall in the country posed significant risks to South Africa’s cultural and heritage sites, undermining efforts to protect and celebrate the nation’s diverse history.
“Unfortunately, as we were looking forward to this day, some parts of our country which include KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State were impacted by severe weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change,” he said on Tuesday.
“In celebrating our heritage, we must be alive to the impact of climate change on not only our wellbeing, but also on our culture. Extreme weather conditions such as those witnessed over the past few days affect some of our cultural and heritage sites, therefore undermining our national goals to protect and preserve our culture for generations to come.”
Heavy snowfall gripped KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the Free State over the weekend, resulting in the death of a 39-year old woman and leaving thousands stranded along the N3.
Mashatile expressed deep empathy for those affected by the widespread severe weather, commending Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa as well as various government departments for their swift and effective multi-sectoral response.
He acknowledged the proactive measures taken by the impacted provinces to activate disaster response structures.
“The Response teams led by NATJOINTS (National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure) remain on standby to address any eventualities and provide assistance to affected communities,” Mashatile said.
He urged citizens to exercise caution and closely follow warnings from the South African Weather Service, underscoring the importance of community vigilance during these challenging times.
Highlighting the urgent need for technological advancements, Mashatile called for increased investment in weather prediction technologies.
“We can save lives by providing early warnings of storms, heat waves and other disasters,” he said.
Mashatile also urged Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to consider policy frameworks that address the effects of climate change on historical heritage.
He stressed the necessity of finding ways to preserve South Africa’s national identity amid various global challenges.
He said as the country celebrated its rich cultural heritage, it served as a timely reminder of the pressing need to protect not only the nation’s physical heritage, but also the cultural narratives that shaped its identity.
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