Durban Swept Away By Floods and Mudslides | April 2022

Nine months ago Durban was on fire, and we couldn't quite comprehend the surreality of what we were experiencing. Now, Durban is being washed away, and much of the lingering angst and devastation has returned in sheets of shocking downpour and destructive mounds of mudslides. The shrouds of utter despondency clouding Durban suburbs in the wake of unnatural disaster has been tangible, as residents helplessly watched their lives flood away, their cars float down rivers that were roads mere hours before, loved ones getting stuck, stranded, swept away. While we take a moment to assess the damage as the day breaks and muster the courage to shoulder the weight of rebuilding, we are reminded that no man is an island, even when we find ourselves in the middle of floodwaters. In true community spirit, calls for aid were answered. We salute every single first responder, emergency services personnel, our own dedicated members - for their unfaltering, diligent duty and bravery, putting the safety of every person they were called to assist above their own. Wading through flood waters, navigating treacherous roads, rescuing motorists, extracting trapped residents long into the night. And then neighbours lining up with shovels and buckets and mops, to start clearing the way to normality. Again. If we learned anything from the July riots, it's that our Durban flame will not be extinguished despite adversity, that we are a resilient people, and that we are capable of putting out lives back together, even if it doesn't quite look the same it did before.