When disaster strikes in Nelson Mandela Bay, it is not just homes that are affected. Businesses lose revenue, streets flood, and livelihoods are disrupted, sometimes for months. That is why city leaders, academics, and business representatives came together on 16 October 2025 for a seminar on disaster resilience.
The event, held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and themed “Every Day Counts – Act for Resilience Today,” explored practical ways to prepare for future storms, floods, and other emergencies, showing exactly what is being done to protect the people and economy of the metro.
What This Means for NMB
For Nelson Mandela Bay, a region already feeling the effects of climate change, flooding, and failing infrastructure, disaster preparedness is not an abstract policy issue. It is about keeping people employed, keeping small businesses open, and protecting the economy that keeps our metro running.
From flooded shops in Kariega to storm-damaged roads in Summerstrand, we have all seen how unplanned disasters can derail months of work in a single day. The message from this week’s seminar is clear: resilience starts with readiness, and readiness requires collaboration.
Inside the Seminar
The event aimed to:
- Help businesses understand how disasters directly affect their operations and finances
- Share best practices for risk reduction, recovery, and business continuity
- Strengthen public-private partnerships in disaster management
- Promote sustainable, business-driven approaches to resilience
MEC for COGTA Zolile Williams, delivering the keynote address, reminded delegates that disaster risk reduction is as much about planning as it is about response.
“Planning is key, and this seminar is aimed at helping municipalities better prepare,” he said. “We have placed special emphasis on partnering with the private sector because when disasters strike, the business sector is also significantly affected. We need an integrated approach that holistically addresses all risk areas.”
Williams also credited Nelson Mandela University for its research-driven support in strengthening the province’s disaster management capabilities.
Deputy Executive Mayor Gary Van Niekerk called the timing of the seminar “crucial,” pointing to the lessons learned from recent local floods.
“We can and must do better as a metro, particularly regarding our infrastructure,” said Van Niekerk. “The recent disasters have taught us serious lessons. Work is already underway to improve stormwater drainage, a key contributor to flooding in Nelson Mandela Bay. As leadership, we have been empowered through this seminar to better understand what needs to be done.”
Why It Matters for Our Readers
For NMB businesses and residents alike, the takeaway is simple: disaster management is not just a municipal concern. It is a community-wide responsibility.
If we want Nelson Mandela Bay to grow and thrive, we have to invest in infrastructure, planning, and partnerships that can withstand the pressures of a changing climate.
In a city that has already weathered its share of storms, both literal and economic, the call to “Act for Resilience Today” hits close to home. Because for the Bay, every day really does count.
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