Flooding has had a wide impact across the metro with communities in low-lying areas most severely impacted, while the continuity of business operations haves been impacted across most parts of the Metro, says Denise van Huyssteen, the chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
This, the second flooding event in just four months, has highlighted the infrastructure maintenance challenges within the metro. “Our view is that a lot of the damage during flooding or heavy rains can be limited if stormwater drains are regularly cleaned and alien vegetation is removed from rivers,” she says.
The Markman area is reportedly the most impacted due to the area’s poor state of nfrastructure, while damage and disruptions were reported to business in areas such as Neave/Korsten, Perseverance, Baakens Valley, Kariega, Newtown Park and Deal Party.
Four businesses in North End and one in Deal Party have had their operations flooded, while 90% of manufactures in the Struandale area have not been able to operate due to a power outage which kicked in at 03h00 today. This is the second power outage in the area since Saturday and is unrelated to the floods.
According to 78 businesses polled by the Chamber across the metro, 81% have been affected by the floods with 62% reporting high absenteeism levels. A further 35% have reported that their facilities have been flooded, with Markman, Perseverance and Kariega being the hardest hit.
High absenteeism has been widely reported as a major issue across most businesses in the metro, with many manufacturers running limited operations or skipping shifts,” says Van Huyssteen.
She further elaborates that the taxi industry, which provides a vital service to thousands of commuters across the metro, was unable to access many flooded roads and thus transport employees to work.
The Chamber has opened up its premises as a drop-off point for supplies and is currently working with the Gift of the Givers to co-ordinate support for disaster relief efforts for those who have been affected.
So far, community organisations such as the Community Chest and Rotary Club have stepped in to support with various items. Intertown Transport has availed its fleet to provide transportation of donated supplies from across the country to Nelson Mandela Bay at their own cost, while their operations are also serving as collection points.
Van Huyssteen says that some of the emergency supplies required include toiletries, baby care products, blankets and non-perishable food.
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Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is a beautiful city located on the coast in the Eastern Cape Province and is known as the “Friendly City”, with other towns in this district including Kariega (Uitenage) and Despatch. Forming part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Gqeberha has stunning beaches, historical museums and memorials, award-winning wildlife sanctuaries and super friendly people, making it a spectacular holiday destination.
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Donald Gordon – As the founder of Liberty Life, Donald Gordon will always be remembered for what surely remains his greatest achievement – the shopping centre that set the benchmark for luxury and class worldwide. The shopping centre that the richest city in Africa is now built around the monolith, Sandton City.