By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has issued a stark warning about the impending threat of climate change.
Global warming effects are already being felt in the province, with devastating floods in April 2022 claiming over 400 lives and causing billions of rands in damage.
The Premier was speaking at the BRICS Urbanisation Forum in Durban.
The forum, which is currently underway, is taking place under the theme: “Advancing urban resilience for sustainable cities and towns for future generations”.
The upcoming BRICS Summit will be preceded by several events and activities taking place in the host country, including this week’s BRICS Urbanisation Forum gathering.
Dube-Ncube said she believes that the task of major emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is to play a significant role in localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This includes implementing actions at the local level to address all the challenges related to sustainable development, urban resilience and rapid urbanisation.
Dube-Ncube also believes that the meeting is an opportunity to cement the global partnerships for the adoption of climate-smart agriculture, sustainable urbanisation, continued investment in industrial decarbonisation and building of environments that are safe and healthy.
“We would like to take this opportunity to call on all our friends who are part of this conference to identify sectors for potential investment across our economy including the maritime, agriculture, transport, finance, education, and many other sectors.”
In addition, she said government was building integrated human settlements for its citizens as the country deals with the challenge of affordable housing.
Dube-Ncube drew attention to the country’s population of over 60 million people and the province’s population of approximately 12 million. The province of KwaZulu-Natal, being the second-largest in South Africa, faces numerous challenges.
Durban, the only metro in the province with a population of around four million, contributes to 60% of the province’s economic activity. However, it is grappling with about 600 informal settlements, homelessness, and backyard informal homes, creating a housing backlog estimated at 470,000.
To combat these housing issues, the government is building integrated human settlements and upgrading privately-owned land to create a more sustainable living environment. The private sector is also being considered as a significant partner in retail, commercial, and light industrial developments.
Dube-Ncube emphasized the importance of learning from the experiences and expertise of countries and states that are part of the BRICS forum, as well as those outside of it. Despite South Africa being responsible for the least causes of climate change among the developing world, she stressed that all countries must work together to address this pressing issue.
The Premier’s call for action serves as a stark reminder of the real and present danger that climate change poses.