Mayor Xaba Oversees Relocation of Flood-Affected Families to Temporary Homes in Shongweni

By NWN Media – Digital Voice of KZN

SHONGWENI, ETHEKWINI – eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, has conducted an oversight visit to Shongweni, where 19 flood-affected families have officially been relocated to temporary residential units as part of the municipality's ongoing disaster recovery programme.

The beneficiary families are among residents whose homes were destroyed during the devastating floods that struck various parts of eThekwini, leaving many displaced and in urgent need of shelter.

During the visit on the 25th of July 2026, Mayor Xaba reassured residents that the temporary accommodation forms part of a broader housing intervention. He confirmed that permanent homes are planned for the affected families and will be constructed on the same site, ensuring a long-term and sustainable housing solution.

The Mayor was accompanied by Ward 7 Councillor Luthando Jali and the Deputy Chairperson of the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Sifiso Mkhize, who engaged with residents and assessed the progress of the relocation process.

Speaking during the visit, Mayor Xaba said the municipality remains committed to restoring dignity and stability to communities affected by natural disasters.

"These temporary units provide immediate relief to families while we continue working towards delivering permanent homes. Our priority is to ensure that every affected family is provided with safe and dignified housing," said Mayor Xaba.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, saying the temporary homes have restored their sense of security after months of uncertainty.

"We are grateful because we finally have a safe place to stay. We can now sleep peacefully, even when it rains, knowing that our families are protected," said one of the beneficiaries.

The relocation forms part of eThekwini Municipality's broader efforts to assist communities impacted by recurring extreme weather events while accelerating the delivery of permanent housing infrastructure.

NWN Media Remarks

The relocation of flood victims into temporary housing represents an important milestone in restoring dignity to families whose lives were disrupted by natural disasters. However, the true measure of success will be the timely completion of permanent homes. NWN Media believes that continuous monitoring, accountability and efficient implementation are essential to ensure affected families are not left in temporary accommodation longer than necessary. Disaster recovery should not only provide emergency shelter but also build resilient communities capable of withstanding future climate-related challenges.

— NWN Media | Digital Voice of KZN