BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– Deputy Prime Minister Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku has warned emaSwati about the risks of living and building near rivers.
He was speaking during a press conference held at the Cabinet offices earlier today shortly after his assessment visit to Northern, Southern parts of the Lubombo Region and parts of the Hhohho Region.
Masuku said judging from what he witnessed during the assessment, he could safely advise emaSwati to avoid building houses close to river banks.
During the assessment which he undertook with a team from National Disaster Management (NDMA), the DPM mentioned that they were helped by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) called Mercy Air, meaning they used a helicopter.
Masuku said living on a river may seem very appealing because one may have beautiful and serene water views from the comfort of their home.
The DPM said the beauty and potential fun that rivers provide also come with challenges for homeowners, he said.
“Even if a river never floods, flowing water is still destructive to the land over which it passes. While vegetation and reinforcement can help to reduce erosion, avulsion, which is the natural tearing away of land by water, is a fact of life for waterfront properties,” he said.
He further advised emaSwati to invest in strong structured houses when building; he said building material was expensive especially if you invest in strong one.
“There are many different factors that contribute to the strength of your home, but when it comes down to it, there are three major aspects that will determine how well-built your new home is. “Those three factors are the foundation, walls, and roofing material, the foundation of your home provides stability and protects the house from natural disasters. It is one of the most important factors to consider when building a new home because it can impact its strength, resiliency, quality, and energy efficiency,” he said.
