Mashatile Calls for Climate Action on Heritage Day

As South Africa commemorates Heritage Day, Acting President Paul Mashatile highlighted the growing impact of climate change on the nation’s well-being and cultural heritage. In his keynote address during the celebrations in Ficksburg, Free State, Mashatile urged citizens to recognise how climate change threatens both livelihoods and cultural traditions.

Mashatile acknowledged the severe weather affecting parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Free State, exacerbated by climate change, which has overshadowed the Heritage Day festivities. He noted that these extreme weather events pose a significant threat to cultural and heritage sites, undermining efforts to preserve South Africa’s rich heritage for future generations.

The Acting President expressed empathy for those affected by recent severe weather and praised the swift response from the government, led by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and other departments. Mashatile commended the provinces for their activation of disaster response teams, which remain on standby through NATJOINTS to assist affected communities.

He called on South Africans to exercise caution and pay attention to weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service, emphasizing the importance of investing in advanced technology to improve weather prediction and provide early warnings of storms and other disasters to save lives.

Mashatile also urged the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to explore policy measures addressing the impact of climate change on South Africa’s historical heritage, providing guidance on how to preserve the nation’s identity in the face of global challenges.