13/10/2026
Tswelopele Local Municipality successfully commemorated the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) 2026 on 13 October 2026 at Kgatelopele High School, Ward 02. Under the Theme “ Resilience Starts at home “. The event brought together municipal leadership, government departments, disaster management stakeholders, community safety structures, the private sector, and the school community to promote disaster risk awareness, environmental responsibility, and community resilience.
The programme was directed by Mr L. Malokase and included a tree-planting ceremony led by the Honorable Mayor, opening devotions by Me Mosala, welcoming remarks by the Honourable Speaker, an explanation of the purpose of the day by MM, messages of support from stakeholders, entertainment by the School Environmental Club, a keynote address, and the handover of donated resources. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the school principal and the singing of the National Anthem.
The event reinforced the importance of household preparedness, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, and cooperation between government, communities, and other stakeholders. It also provided an opportunity for partners to demonstrate their commitment to practical initiatives that support safer and more resilient communities.
Keynote address
The programme listed the Honourable Mayor, Cllr M. Radienyane, as the keynote speaker. The address formed a central part of the commemoration and was aligned with the theme, Resilience Starts at Home. The event highlighted the importance of taking practical steps at household and community level to reduce disaster risks, protect the environment, and strengthen the ability of communities to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Stakeholder participation
The programme recognised contributions and messages of support from the following stakeholders:
Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC).
Free State Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
South African Weather Service (SAWS).
South African Red Cross.
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
Department of Education
South African Police Service (SAPS).
Lejweleputswa District Disaster Management Centre.
Shoprite Soup Kitchen
Community Police Forum.
Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Kgatelopele High School and its School Environmental Club.
Their participation demonstrated the value of coordinated action in disaster risk reduction, environmental management, public safety, and community development.
Handover of donated resources
One of the key achievements of the commemoration was the handover of resources donated by participating stakeholders. These contributions provided practical support for environmental sustainability, waste management, and community-based resilience initiatives.
The following deliverables were recorded:
Seedlings: Different types of seedlings donated by Inmed SA.
Gardening tools and seeds: Two wheelbarrows, two rakes, two spades, two watering cans, one hand hoe, and different types of seeds supplied by the Department of Agriculture.
Waste management equipment: Five large dustbins and ten small plastic bins donated by the Community Police Forum (CPF).
Trees: Trees donated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the District Disaster Management Centre.
These donations demonstrated the practical value of stakeholder partnerships. The gardening equipment, seedlings, seeds, trees, and waste bins will support environmental awareness, responsible waste disposal, and greening initiatives.
Conclusion
The IDDR 2026 commemoration provided a valuable platform for strengthening partnerships and promoting a culture of disaster preparedness within Tswelopele Local Municipality. The programme, stakeholder participation, keynote address, tree-planting activity, and handover of donated resources contributed to the objectives of the day.
The municipality extends its sincere appreciation to all stakeholders, donors, municipal representatives, school management, learners, and community members who contributed to the event. Their presence and support reaffirmed the shared responsibility of building safer, greener, and more resilient communities.
The commemoration concluded with a clear message: resilience starts at home, but building a disaster-resilient community requires collective action and sustained commitment from everyone.
