In an extension of its proactive risk management initiatives in municipalities across the country, Santam, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, handed over much needed fire-fighting equipment to the value of R220 000 to the Makana local municipality fire department in Grahamstown.  The equipment handed over included skid units, fire branches, spades, hammers, protective clothing for fire-fighters, torches, spotlights and foam cans.
 
The handover was preceded by a successful stakeholder event in partnership with the Sarah Baartman District municipality and the Makana local municipality to share details of Santam’s holistic risk-management partnerships. Temba Mvusi, Executive Head: Market Development at Santam, says the engagement created the platform to discuss the impact of these risk management initiatives in the communities where the partnerships have been established.
 
“Santam has heeded the call to take the lead to promote climate risk adaptation and improve the resilience of communities.  Over the last few years we have secured significant successes with our shared risk management approach to address climate-related risks through partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders including business, land owners and local government. We are very proud of the momentum and milestones our Partnership for Risk and Resilience, previously known as BAAM (Business-Adopt-A-Municipality), has gained since 2012.
 
“Through this partnership we drive risk mitigation and risk reduction interventions and initiatives with 10 district municipalities which comprise 54 local municipalities in South Africa. As an example we’ve had huge successes in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality in Mpumalanga with a joint implementation plan for disaster risk management already established and flood data obtained from the Mbombela local municipality and analysed by Santam’s Risk Services. Access to this data allowed Santam’s Risk Services to identify and classify all flood risks, identify exposed clients within this risk pool and apply flood risk mitigation measures. By partnering with the local authority, Santam saved R4.2m that would have been spent on conducting scientific studies to obtain the same data.”
 
According to Mvusi municipalities bear the responsibility of managing the ramifications of a disaster when it strikes. “Their ability to not only respond but more importantly, to mitigate the risks is required. We have greatly improved the provision of disaster management in the respective 53 local municipalities and remain committed to creating a better life for all South African citizens.
 
“Fire and fire protection systems; safety and security; building regulations and building accessibility; adaptation to climate change and an increase in natural disasters, all form a suite of systemic risks, which must be addressed in a collaborated effort,” Mvusi concludes.

William Welkom, manager: Fire Services at Makana municipality said that the Makana municipality has experienced financial difficulties in recent years and were therefore unable to provide a capital budget for Fire Services to procure equipment. “This equipment will greatly assist us to achieve our objectives by providing an efficient and effective quality firefighting service to the community of Makana,” said Welkom.