The shocking floods in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) over the past weeks left a trail of destruction in their wake as thousands of homes were either damaged or completely destroyed. As of 18 April, more than 443 people had been confirmed dead, while approximately 48 people were still missing or unaccounted for and hundreds more left homeless.
The situation, described as the worst for South Africa in recent times, has touched the hearts of people all over the world. Many organisations and foundations have come on board to assist in different rescue and recovery operations around the affected areas, among them the internationally acclaimed Gift of the Givers.
Not to be left behind, the Limpopo EMS Search and Rescue team left on Saturday, 16 April, to lend a hand to the affected people in KZN. The highly trained crew are led by officer Robert Masubelele, who has extensive experience in both local and international rescue efforts, such as the devastating typhoon 'Yolanda' in the Philippines in 2018 and the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. One of the team members, Mr Ndivhuho Nicholas Nekhumbe, proudly hails from the Vhembe District.
The team was bidden farewell by Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba during a function held at the Mookgophong Health Centre. Ramathuba called on the people of Limpopo to pray for the people of KZN and to donate whatever they could to the distraught communities there. She praised the team for their selflessness in volunteering for the mission.
Nekhumbe said he was honoured to be a part of the rescue team. "The situation is really bad, and as rescue members it's our duty to make sure that the people are safe," he said.
The whole province of KZN, including Durban City, has meanwhile been declared a disaster area.