Durban, 16 September 2025 – In a landmark move to enhance provincial resilience against natural disasters, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN COGTA) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This strategic partnership formalises a collaborative effort to fund, develop, and implement a comprehensive, multi-year disaster management enhancement programme across the province.
The agreement was officially signed by the KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Mr Chuene Ramphele, Group Executive for the Infrastructure Delivery Division at the DBSA, at a ceremony held in Durban.
The MEC for COGTA hailed the agreement as a pivotal moment for the province. “This partnership with the DBSA is a game-changer. It combines our on-the-ground expertise and legislative mandate with the DBSA’s immense technical capacity and financial acumen. Together, we are building a robust shield of preparedness and resilience for the people of KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring that our response to future climate shocks is swift, effective, and sustainable.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr Chuene Ramphele remarked, “As a development finance institution, our mandate is to support the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure. This MOA with KZN COGTA is a direct investment in the safety and economic stability of the province. We are committed to providing the necessary technical and financial support to ensure this programme’s success, creating a model of disaster resilience that can be replicated across the continent.”
The MOA outlines a clear framework for cooperation, focusing on the following critical areas:
Key Focus Areas of the KZN COGTA-DBSA Partnership:
• Advanced Technological Integration: The partnership will co-fund a significant upgrade of the CSIR CMORE data collection system. This includes the procurement of data collection tools (tablets and GPS units) to enable the real-time capturing of disaster data. It will also support the enhancement of COGTA’s GIS environment, creating an integrated platform for managing data from partners like DWS, SAWS, and SANRAL.
• Proactive Infrastructure Planning: The DBSA will provide technical expertise and financial support for a province-wide review of municipal stormwater management plans and infrastructure. The goal is to develop and implement new guidelines for sustainable drainage solutions to mitigate future flood risks.
• Expert Technical Support and Project Oversight: The agreement facilitates the deployment of specialist technical teams to support municipalities with post-disaster damage verification and recovery planning. Furthermore, the DBSA will lend its project management expertise to ensure rigorous monitoring and effective implementation of projects funded through Municipal Disaster Grants.
• Capacity Building and Resource Enhancement: A joint focus will be placed on human capital development through specialised training for Disaster Management, Fire, and Rescue personnel. The partnership will also support efforts to build the capacity of community leaders and Amakhosi and will facilitate the procurement of critical Fire and Rescue equipment, including specialised snow rescue assets, for under-resourced municipalities.
• Modernisation of Command Infrastructure: The MOA includes provisions for the refurbishment and upgrading of District Disaster Management Centres, transforming them into state-of-the-art command hubs for emergency operations.
This landmark agreement signals a new era of proactive and collaborative governance aimed at securing the well-being and prosperity of KwaZulu-Natal’s communities in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
//ENDS