NATURAL DISASTERS

NAME OF LEARNER Maphanga Boreadi Boitumelo

GRADE 12A

NAME OF SCHOOL Taxila Secondary School

CIRCUIT Pietersburg

DISTRICT Capricorn South

NAME OF TASK Term 2 : Project

TERM 2

TOPIC Social and environmental responsibility and impact on the media

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACTIVITY SUB-TOPIC PAGE NO.

1.1 Introduction/Problem Statement Page no.3

1.2-3 Literature Review Page no.4-

8

4 Data Gathering Page no.8

5 Findings Page
no.10-11

6 Reflection Page no.11

7 Conclusion Page no.12

8 Bibliography Page
no.12-13

2
INTRODUCTION/PROBLEM STATEMENT

ACTIVITY 1: LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL DISASTER AND NATIONAL

DISASTER:

1.1.1 Natural disasters: With reference from Disaster Management Act No.57 of 2002, a
natural disaster is a progressive or sudden widespread or localised, natural occurrence
that causes or threatens to cause death, injury, damage to property this includes floods,
wildfire, drought.

-A house in a rural settlements submerged by water in Giyani 13 January. – Limpopo records more wildfires(July 24 2016)

. – Limpopo under crisis of drought (October 20,2016)

1.1.2 National disaster: According to Wikipedia, national disaster as any disaster

(natural or man-made) that is so severe it affects the entire nation or a large part of it,
requiring national-level intervention and resources to manage and recover from its
effects. It is declared by the national government. For example, large-scale floods
affecting multiple provinces, major industrial accidents (e.g., Chernobyl nuclear disaster)

3
1.2 THREE FORMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS THAT LIMPOPO
EXPERIENCED SINCE 2024:

1. Floods

2. Drought

3. Wildfires

1.3 TWO INSTITUTIONS THAT DEAL WITH NATURAL DISASTERS IN

SOUTH AFRICA:

[Link] African weather service (SAWS)

2. Natural disasters management centre (NDMC)

1.4 ONE CAUSE OF FLOODS IN THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE:

A significant factor contributing to floods in the Limpopo Province is the occurrence of

heavy rainfall. During the summer months, the province often faces intense and
extended bouts of rain. This excessive precipitation can result in rivers and reservoirs
overflowing, causing water to inundate nearby regions. The soil tends to become
saturated rapidly, limiting its capacity to absorb additional water, which increases
surface runoff and triggers flooding. This natural phenomenon is frequently intensified
by the province’s geographical features and climatic conditions.

ACTIVITY 2

2.1 ONE LAW THAT PROTECTS SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS FROM

NATURAL DISASTERS

Disaster Management Act [No.57 of 2002].

2.2 TWO WAYS IN WHICH THE ABOVE LAW PROTECTS CITIZENS

AGAINST NATURAL DISASTERS

2.2.1. Compulsory risk reduction and prevention :The Act mandates that all levels of
government create Disaster Management Plans. These plans focus on identifying
specific community risks such as areas susceptible to floods or fire and
implementing measures to prevent them beforehand.

4
 2.2.2 Swift Resource Mobilization through "State of Disaster" . This declaration
allows for the release of emergency funds and enables the government to overcome
bureaucratic delays, ensuring prompt assistance for citizens.

2.3 THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF FLOOD ON FOOD PRODUCTION:

Flooding devastates food production by submerging crops, leading to direct crop failure,
root rot, and reduced yields. It causes significant soil erosion, washing away topsoil and
nutrients essential for growth, while ruining infrastructure such as irrigation systems and
storage facilities. Furthermore, floods cause livestock losses, trigger disease outbreaks,
and disrupt market access, creating severe food insecurity.

2.4 ONE STRATEGY THAT COMMUNITIES CAN IMPLEMENT TO

PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST NATURAL DISASTERS SUCH AS
FLOODS

Community Engagement and Education:

Host workshops and seminars to inform residents about flood hazards and safety
precautions. Share educational resources detailing emergency protocols and
evacuation paths. Local authorities should regularly offer training and resources to
help residents prepare for and respond to floods, enabling community members to
reduce their risk and recover effectively.

5
ACTIVITY 3

3.1 THREE PRECAUTIONARY STEPS THE COMMUNITY WOULD TAKE

TO STAY SAFE DURING A FLOOD

1. Stay Updated and Monitor Alerts

It's vital to remain informed about weather developments for effective decision-making.
Check local sources frequently looking at local news outlets, weather apps, and radio
broadcasts for updates from the South African Weather Service or local disaster
management. Know alert levels and understand the distinction between a potential
flooding and a flood warning to determine how urgently you need to respond.
2. Prepare an Emergency Kit

Put together a portable bag stocked with necessities to ensure your family can sustain
itself for at least 72 hours. Key Items include non-perishable food, a minimum three-day
supply of drinking water, a first-aid kit, flashlights with spare batteries, and any critical
medications. Protect important documents by keeping essential items like identification
papers, birth certificates, and insurance policies in a waterproof bag or container.
3. Create and Practice an Evacuation Plan

Having a clear plan reduces confusion in case you need to evacuate your home quickly.
Identify routes and plan several safe paths to higher ground and pinpoint the locations
of nearby emergency shelters. Set a meeting point and designate a specific location for
all family members to gather if you get separated during an emergency.

3.2 THE IMPACT OF FLOODS IN THE FOLLOWING:

1. Family

Emotional Strain: Families experience substantial financial losses due to the destruction
of homes, possessions, and means of income, especially those reliant on agriculture or
residing in informal [Link] of Family Structure: The breakdown of
extended family support systems and forced relocation can result in "family
disorganization," where traditional social safety nets become ineffective

6
 - A family walking through the water during heavy flooding

2. Community

Infrastructure Damage: Destruction of roads, bridges, and power systems isolates

residents and disrupts economic activities. Public services, including hospitals and
government facilities, frequently become inundated.

Social Disintegration: While the initial crisis can create a temporary sense of unity, the
extended recovery phase often leads to social resentment and division, especially if aid
seems unevenly allocated.

- Community members are unable to pass due to floods

3. Teaching and Learning

Loss of Teaching Time: Damaged schools and impassable roads result in extended
closures; for instance, recent flooding in Limpopo caused 91 schools to close within a

7
[Link] loss of textbooks, teaching resources, and furniture makes it extremely
difficult to provide quality education, even when schools are operational.

Decline in Academic Performance: High levels of absenteeism and increased dropout

rates lead to lower test scores and delays in curriculum completion. In some instances,
students drop out permanently to help with family responsibilities or due to financial
constraints.

- A picture of learners having to cross rivers after heavy floods

3.3 ONE WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT COULD DEAL WITH

FLOODING IN AFFECTED AREAS OF LIMPOPO

To efficiently address flooding in impacted regions of Limpopo, the government might

establish a thorough flood management initiative centred on infrastructure enhancement
and [Link] approach includes various essential measures to safeguard at-risk
communities. Creation of flood barriers by erecting physical barriers like levees,
floodwalls, and dams can stop river surges from flooding urban neighbourhoods.

ACTIVITY 4: DATA GATHERING

4.2 INTERPRETATION AND SUMMARY OF THE RESPONSES OF THE

RESPONDENTS

After the analysis of the questionnaires, the respondents showed that they understood
that natural disasters are natural phenomenons caused by nature , especially floods.
Based on the way they understood the term natural disasters, they were able to offer

8
relevant examples of it. Majority of them gave good response on questions 3 but the
remaining their response showed that they where not sure of what proper safety
precaution the community member could take. The respondents provided well thought
responses where they understood that flood can affect communities in a different way
but ,the most common response was regarding that the members of the community
would be homeless as their properties and belongings would be ruined by flood. The
lack of education was also mentioned as the floods would have ruined the schools,
which meant there will be less school attendance or the school might have been used
as a place of shelter for the flood [Link] questionnaire helped them also consider
how would social media impact the flood victims’ lives both in a negative and positive
way. The respondents for the negative impact mentioned that it can cause emotional
distress just like stress, it may lead to false information being published and it’s an
invasion of the flood victims’ privacy. On the positive side , majority of the respondents
mentioned that it can raise awareness and make people organise donation drives for
the flood victims.

9
ACTIVITY 5: FINDINGS

5.1 THE IMPACT OF FLOODS ON THE VICTIMS

The floods may cause the victims properties and belongings to get damaged, which
may be too expensive for them to replace. The flood victims became homeless due the
floods that have ruined their homes . The losing of their homes and properties lead to
emotional distress filled with trauma and stress of also losing their loved ones. Lack of
education would become an increasing factor as the floods would have the damaged
the victims’ houses along with the children’s school uniform which leads to less
attendances . Flood victims may fall sick due to waterborne diseases.

5.2 THE PROS AND CONS OF MEDIA REPORTING RELATED TO FLOOD

VICTIMS

10
 PROS :

Social media raises awareness to people to be aware of recent flood activity in

different communities. It helps flood victims get external help from people who
organise food donations, raise funds and give them supplies they are in need of.
• CONS :
Social, media can spread false information about the flood victims which makes
them stressed and seeing images of the disaster can be really traumatic for
people who have already dealt or are dealing with the stress of the situation.
Media reporters can post the flood victims’ houses while damaged without their
permission, which is disrespectful and makes them feel as though they have
invaded their privacy.

ACTIVITY 6 : REFLECTION

Throughout the making of this project, I noticed that I still have to work on
my time management as I couldn’t balance my other school work and this
project. This project has changed the way I think about natural disasters
and national disasters as they both have a great cause on our lives. As
floods ruin infrastructure and victims may lose their lives. I kept wondering
how does the mind if of a person who has witnessed a natural disasters
and became a victim of it function, as they would have to go through a
massive emotional distress of trauma and stress . This project made me
aware that many people are very lucky to not have to be victims of any
natural disasters unlike the people living in the Limpopo province. As they
have would also have to go through emotional turmoil .I still question the
Disaster Management Act no.57 of 2002,as I think if the government
worked as hard as they claim , provinces such as Limpopo would be safe
from floods and other natural disasters. It just made me think that our
society is failing us.

11
ACTIVITY 7 : CONCLUSION
In concluding this research project on natural disasters, I have learnt that nature is
beautiful and ugly at the same time as it’s beauty is not seen during floods, wildfires or
droughts. These natural disasters ruin infrastructure and have a great influence on the
economic growth of South Africa, with education not offered in certain areas and less
economic production. Floods have shown to have affect to cause emotional turmoil on
flood victims as after the loss of their properties and belongings and possibly the loss of
a loved one they would be traumatised and stressed about the repairs of their
properties, which may be very expensive. This also contributes to the stress of where
they will find shelter in the time being of them repairs of their properties.

I also learnt that the Disaster Management Act no.57 of 2002 is a law in our country
which works to make our country safe from natural disasters such as floods. Social
media has also found a way to affect the lives of flood victims both positively and
negatively, where on the negative side reporters can spread false information of flood
evacuations and they may invade victims privacy by posting their properties without
permission. While on the positive side it raises awareness of flood activity and helps
victims get external help from organisations that provide food donations and supplies
they are in need of. Overall there were limitations phased during this project and it was
an interesting research project.

ACTIVITY 8: BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Gololo,T .2026 Limpopo floods: 11 dead, R4bn in damage, with more rain on the
way-News24 . 16 January
2. Motau,I. 2026 Providing relief to flood-affected communities- SABCNEWS .13
January
3. MDNT .2026 Limpopo education tells the flood-hit Vhembe, Mopani schools to
delay reopening-MDN NEWS.14 January
[Link]
[Link]/p/DTfas7RDKEP/&ved=2ahUKEwiy6JWWm_qTAxUgWEEAHZw
6KawQtaYDegQIBRAA&usg=AOvVaw06lMT4Q6OCj9BOkgwhuagw
4. Updates with LolaM. 2026 Severe flooding in
[Link]:[Link]

12
flooding-in-giyani-limpopo-particularly-in-the-nsamidam-area-has-
c/1489164603212733/-Accessed:13 January

13