A lack of security of tenure and of agricultural support from government has compounded the disaster
When the first dam walls broke on 8 August, residents of Riverlands were woken by the noise of a distant explosion, followed by a deep rumbling sound. The rumble grew louder in the usually quiet, historically-coloured rural community outside Malmesbury in the Western Cape.
Hendrika woke up her sleeping husband, Jim Voster, 57, who dismissed the low grumbling as a train on the nearby railway tracks. It was only when their home shuddered and water rushed under their door that the couple realised this was no train.
In the darkness, floodwaters surged through Riverlands, destroying or severely damaging about 50 homes and displacing about 220 residents. Miraculously, no lives were lost, but the community is left to confront the aftermath of this devastation.
Riverlands was flooded again on 17 August when a spillway created on the fourth and largest dam overflowed.
In the days following the flood, the visible destruction was overwhelming. Roads were transformed into deep gorges, and the local infrastructure was severely damaged. The municipal water supply was interrupted, and many families were left without access to basic sanitation as their septic tank systems were washed away.
Amid the chaos, signs of organised disaster relief efforts emerged, with water tankers and food supplies being distributed to those in need. However, the challenge lies in the long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. While immediate relief has been provided, many families, particularly small-scale farmers, face an uncertain future.
Voster, a small-scale farmer, has suffered almost complete losses on his property. The floodwaters obliterated his home and swept away most of his livestock, leaving him with nothing but a jigsaw puzzle of broken foundations.
"We have lost everything. We need to start all over again," Voster lamented. He fears the disaster might be used as an excuse for eviction by the Housing Development Agency (HDA), which has previously tried to displace the small farmers from the land they have occupied for generations.
The HDA's previous attempts to evict these farmers, coupled with the state's historic lack of follow-through, have left the community feeling abandoned, and the threat of displacement remains a source of anxiety for many.
However, there are some residents who speculate that perhaps the disaster will highlight the unsuitability of the land for the houses and school the HDA planned.
What the disaster does reveal is how impoverished rural people are made more vulnerable by insecure tenure - a problem that has not been addressed by land reform efforts in the last 30 years.
Additionally, the response from government agencies has been disheartening. While NGOs such as Gift of the Givers provided immediate disaster relief, the focus has primarily been on displaced households.
Disaster relief efforts have not adequately considered the farmers, leaving many without the support they desperately need. We know that the state normally prioritises industrial farming and big business over the needs of marginalised communities.
Community members have expressed anger about the apparent neglect of the earthen wall dams that collapsed. Residents reported that the municipality had been alerted to the leaking dam during heavy rainfall earlier in the season but failed to act. This raises critical questions about accountability and the responsibility of government authorities to communities.
The recent Agrarian Rural Household Economy (ARHE) study commissioned by Tshintsha Amakhaya highlights the precarious situation of agrarian households in South Africa. It reveals that many small-scale farmers face systemic inequalities.
The ARHE study, conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), underscores the need for targeted interventions that address the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in the wake of disasters like the one at Riverlands. The findings show that rural households are often poor and vulnerable, with many relying on multiple sources of income to survive. Insecure land tenure makes it difficult for farmers to invest in their land and improve their livelihoods.
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As Riverlands grapples with the aftermath of the dam disaster, small-scale farmers such as Voster are calling for urgent support and recognition from the government.
Their struggle for land rights and access to resources is not just a fight for survival; it is a fight for dignity and justice. The government must take accountability for conditions that led to this disaster, and recognise the needs of small-scale farmers in recovery efforts. Without meaningful engagement and support, the resilience of these farmers may not be enough to overcome the challenges.
The time for action is now, and the voices of small-scale farmers in Riverlands and surrounds must be heard. They deserve the assurances and support necessary to rebuild their lives and secure their rights to the land they have nurtured for generations.
Brian Adams and David Neves are based at the Surplus People Project, a land-rights NGO. The views expressed are not necessarily those of Ground Up.
