OR Tambo District Municipality Trains Disaster Volunteers

OR Tambo District Municipality, working with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), has begun training 20 disaster volunteers in Mthatha West as part of a wider risk-reduction initiative. The programme aims to improve local disaster preparedness following recent floods that affected several communities. On 18 November 2025, the volunteers also received Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from Suntum, a key PDMC training partner.

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What Happened

The district launched a focused disaster-management training session designed to equip volunteers with the skills required to support emergency operations. The training covers early-warning awareness, community response techniques, and safe on-site procedures.

As part of the operational support package, the municipality received PPE that will be used by the newly trained volunteers during field responses. The equipment strengthens the region’s ability to respond quickly and safely to incidents.

A disaster-management official noted, “This training gives our volunteers the confidence and tools they need to serve their communities.”

Official Response

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Municipal leaders pointed that the initiative forms part of a long-term plan to build resilient communities across OR Tambo. The partnership with PDMC and Suntum aims to close capacity gaps and ensure that vulnerable communities receive support during emergencies.

“This programme shows our commitment to protecting lives and reducing risk,” an OR Tambo representative said.

Community Impact

Residents in Mthatha West, especially those affected by recent floods, are expected to benefit from a more coordinated disaster-response system. The trained volunteers will serve as first responders during emergencies, improving safety and response times in high-risk areas.