DISASTER MITIGATION BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A CASE STUDY OF FOREMAN AND KENNEDY ROAD INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY, KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

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Abstract

Disaster mitigation is one of the phases within the disaster management cycle which alleviates the adverse impact of disasters by instituting structural and non-structural measures where infrastructure and people are at risk. Disaster mitigation remains an overlooked phenomenon by governments in developing countries, despite its negative repurcusion which is aggravated by economic downturns, infrastructural destruction and political unrest. The literature review reveals a need for long-term disaster mitigation strategies to be carried out well before disaster events. Among the most crucial demands are the need to embed mitigation in government departments’ planning programmes, the need for community participation and intergovernmental relations with the aim to create disaster resistant communities. The purpose of the article is to contribute to the development of a robust disaster management framework and the centre within eThekwini Municipality with the aim to create properly balanced mitigation strategies. Furthermore, to add value to the body of knowledge in South Africa as there are a limited number of researchers who have contributed to the study of disaster mitigation. The research was undertaken at the Foreman and Kennedy Road informal settlements located in Clare Estate, under Ward 25, in Durban. Questionnaires were self-administered to a population size of 220 respondents, from which a sample size of 140 respondents completed the questionnaires, thereby generating a response rate of 63.6%. Interviews were also conducted with municipality officials involved in disaster management. Data was analysed in the form of frequency distribution and cross-tabulation tables. The article indicates a significant difference between sturdy and non-compliance building materials used to build the informal settlements. The article indicates that eThekwini Municipality does not have mitigation strategy as well as short or long-term planning. The building density, the use of combustible building materials for wall and roofs, and structural instability, all have a considerable influence on the spread of fire to the informal settlements.

Keywords: Hazards Mitigation, Informal Settlements, New Public Management (NPM)

How to cite this paper: Ngcamu, B. S., & Dorasamy, N. (2011). Disaster mitigation by local government: A case study of Foreman and Kennedy road informal settlements in the eThekwini municipality, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Corporate Ownership & Control, 8(3-3), 352-365. https://doi.org/10.22495/cocv8i3c3p1