The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) in the Eastern Cape claims traditional healers can assist in tackling the severe weather conditions, like the one that claimed 78 lives in recent snowstorms and floods.
Contralesa chairperson, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, urged the government to involve traditional leaders in addressing such crises as the province reels from the shocking devastation.
“We would like to encourage our government and citizens to consider the role that we and traditional healers play in preventing such disasters,” said Nonkonyana.
Traditional healers’ roles vital
He further said their involvement will help the indigenous knowledge system that is provided for in the Disaster Management Act to save lives and care for the spirits of all those who have passed away.
“We hope that the impacted families will follow their traditions in removing their loved ones’ souls. Because if they don’t, this kind of tragedy might happen again,” stated Nonkonyana.
He said the province is in mourning because of the deaths of so many people as a result of the winds. The strong winds swept away houses with inhabitants inside and swept away people, including learners.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost loved ones. They lost houses and valuable properties. These include motor vehicles swept away by the devastating floods, and some damaged beyond economic repairs.”
President visits area
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the affected areas in Mthatha. He said he had received a report from the ministers who went there ahead of him.
“I came here because it is a huge number of people who died. Especially the children who died when a bus went missing. It is sad because there is nothing as painful as losing a child or a parent. That is why I decided to come here to see the situation for myself,” he said.
He further said the government is disturbed that so many people died, but it could have been worse.
“We are not used to this thing of floods during winter. Now this goes to show the severity of the issue of climate change. Our two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, are now prone to continuous annual disasters that are causing a lot of pain and suffering amongst our people.”
He added that South Africans must be more alive to the fact that climate change is now a real serious challenge. One that has to be challenged because it affects everything, including people’s lives.
“Help will come to make your lives better, despite this disaster. We will continue to give you the support and the assistance that is required. This so that your sorrow does not deepen.”
READ MORE: Eight bodies of missing Eastern Cape pupils and scholar transport driver found
