Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read

📷 Flood devastation continues in Limpopo and Mpumalanga as Gift of the Givers delivers urgent relief to affected communities.

Urgent humanitarian intervention is underway as widespread flooding continues to devastate parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, leaving communities cut off, infrastructure destroyed, and the death toll rising. The Gift of the Givers Foundation has deployed multiple teams to assist affected families amid what it describes as a rapidly deteriorating situation.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay confirmed that Mpumalanga remains the hardest-hit province, with at least 18 fatalities recorded so far. “Unfortunately, the youngest fatality is a two-year-old child,” Sablay said, describing how the child was swept into a river during heavy rains despite warnings for residents to remain indoors.

According to Sablay, relief teams are currently assisting around 800 households across Chief Albert Luthuli, Tastrik, Mbombela, Nkomazi and Mkondo. “Some areas have been completely cut off, but we managed to get through alternative routes,” he said, adding that coordination with Disaster Management, SAPS and the Premier’s Office has been crucial.

In Limpopo, the scale of destruction has hampered aid distribution. Roads have been washed away and entire villages isolated. Sablay noted that in parts of the Kiyani area, “about 110 people are sitting on rooftops as the river continues to rise,” with five helicopters and additional search-and-rescue teams deployed to evacuate stranded residents.

Authorities have also suspended schooling in the Vhembe and Mopani districts after weather warnings were escalated to Level 9. Sablay welcomed the decision, saying it likely prevented further loss of life. “We all remember the tragedy of Umtata last year. Keeping schools closed is the right call.”

The humanitarian needs are escalating by the hour. Damaged cellphone towers and electricity infrastructure have made communication difficult, while water systems have been severely affected. “There is a huge need for non-perishable food, blankets, mattresses and clean drinking water,” Sablay stressed.

Beyond the floods, Gift of the Givers continues to respond to multiple crises nationwide, including severe drought in the Southern Cape, fires in Dunoon and the Western Cape, and an unfolding water emergency in Knysna, where dam levels have dropped to 15%. The foundation has begun deploying JoJo tanks, water tankers and emergency pumps to avert a full-scale disaster.

Sablay described the situation as “quite dire indeed,” urging communities to heed warnings and avoid unnecessary travel. As extreme weather events intensify across the country, relief organisations and authorities remain on high alert, racing against time to save lives and provide critical support.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Moulana Habib Bobat and Ali Sablay.