KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s second most populous province, is facing relentless climate-related disasters from deadly floods and severe droughts to heatwaves and wildfires leaving vulnerable communities struggling to survive.
In Pietermaritzburg, four low-income urban and peri-urban settlements France, Swapo, Willowfontein, and Mpophomeni have endured years of extreme weather. A recent study of 378 households found residents unable to cope with the mounting impacts. Backyard farms that once grew maize, spinach, cabbage, and beans have withered under erratic rainfall and scorching heat, forcing families to buy increasingly expensive food. Women-headed households are hit hardest, earning less while carrying the burden of unpaid care work.
Health has also suffered. Residents report more skin rashes, influenza, headaches, and worsened chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. In Willowfontein, a prolonged drought left residents relying on weekly water truck deliveries for three years. Floods and storms have destroyed homes, livestock, and infrastructure losses many cannot afford to replace.
Coping mechanisms are largely short-term storing limited water, planting extra crops, or using heaters and fans during temperature extremes. Social grants, often stretched to feed entire families, offer little long-term relief. While many believe government should take the lead on adaptation, trust is low, and resources are scarce.
Experts suggest linking climate action to poverty reduction, creating green jobs through recycling, organic farming, and tree-planting projects. Building community awareness and involving residents in decision-making could improve resilience. But without urgent, sustainable adaptation measures, the poorest will remain on the front line of South Africa’s climate crisis.