Limpopo Battles Flood Fury: Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba Leads Unyielding Fight Against Climate‑Driven Disaster

Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba with MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Tonny Rachoene.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

The Limpopo administration, under the steely leadership of Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has launched an all‑out war against the devastating floods that have ripped through the province, turning ordinary rainy seasons into catastrophic climate crises.

The second wave of floods has hit Vhembe, Mopani and Waterberg Districts, causing significant damage to bridges and roads.

Premier Ramathuba, receiving a detailed rundown of interventions by the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, led by MEC Ernest Rachoene, emphasized that the scale of damage is massive, with provisional repair costs soaring above R4 billion.

Earlier, the province declared a state of disaster after the first wave of floods claimed 11 lives and caused widespread destruction, including damage to national highways – the R527, R40, R71, R36, R578, R526, R529 and R524 – as well as district and municipal roads, crippling transport and isolating communities.

"We are doing everything in our power to deal with these climate-induced floods," Premier Ramathuba declared. "Our focus is on restoring critical infrastructure, reopening roads and bridges, and getting help to every affected family."

MEC Rachoene’s team has been on the frontline, assessing wreckage and clearing blocked roads to restore access to isolated villages. "Our engineers and workers are tirelessly rebuilding bridges and regravelling roads, ensuring communities can move and recover," Rachoene said.

Coghta MEC Basikopo Makamu joined the crisis cabinet, pledging departmental support. "We are mobilising resources to provide emergency assistance and rebuild essential services like water and electricity," Makamu affirmed.

Residents of the battered districts have praised the administration’s relentless effort. "The Premier and her team are fighting the floods with everything they have; we feel the government is truly with us in this disaster," said a community elder from Vhembe.

Another voice from Mopani added, "MEC Rachoene’s crews are on the ground day and night, fixing our broken roads. The 7th Administration is showing it works for all of us."

The Limpopo government has urged citizens to stay safe, avoid flood‑hit areas and cooperate with emergency guidelines to prevent further loss of life and property. "We appeal to the public to work with us and follow safety measures," Premier Ramathuba implored.

As the province battles the aftermath, the administration’s comprehensive response – from emergency relief to massive infrastructure repairs – underscores its commitment to weathering the climate crisis.

The #7thAdministration’s slogan, #ALimpopoThatWorksForAll, is being lived out on flooded streets and rebuilt bridges, proving that under Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Limpopo is fighting every climatic challenge with unwavering resolve.