by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AS communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga grapple with the aftermath of devastating floods, leading mobile operator MTN South Africa has emerged as a source of support and solidarity for families and villages in distress.
Torrential rains that began in late 2025 triggered rivers to overflow, sweeping through towns and rural settlements and leaving a trail of loss and destruction.
Recent government figures show the flooding has claimed at least 39 lives in the two affected provinces — with 19 confirmed deaths in Limpopo and 20 in Mpumalanga.
Six people remain missing as search and rescue efforts continue. Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced, and thousands of homes, roads, bridges and infrastructure have been severely damaged.
The human and emotional toll has been enormous.
In Limpopo’s Vhembe and Mopani districts, families were forced to flee as floodwaters inundated homes and farms, while in parts of Mpumalanga such as Mbombela and Nkomazi, communities found themselves cut off from essential services and transport links.
In response to this crisis, the MTN South Africa Foundation has stepped forward with a R400 000 donation to assist relief efforts, partnering with well-known humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers to deliver immediate support.
The funding will go toward food parcels, hygiene packs, blankets and school stationery for affected families.
Villages set to benefit include Mbawula in the Mopani District, Maphophe and Nkhotswi in the Vhembe District, and households across Mbombela and Nkomazi in Mpumalanga, among others.
MTN teams will join Gift of the Givers in the coming days to ensure the handover of these relief goods is done with dignity and compassion.
Beyond humanitarian aid, MTN’s engineers and field crews have been working tirelessly to keep communications networks operational throughout the crisis, even as extreme weather and infrastructure damage threatened connectivity.
At the height of the flooding, network performance remained at 97%, thanks to round-the-clock efforts to deploy backup power, repair damaged sites and coordinate with emergency services.
For many residents, access to reliable mobile service has meant the difference between isolation and connection — whether to check on loved ones, call for help, or receive updates on emergency services.
Moroke Mokhesi, MTN SA General Manager for the Northern Region, said the company recognises its role in supporting South Africans during crises.
“Everyone deserves access to communication, especially during times of disruption,” he noted. “We are committed to keeping communities connected as they rebuild their lives.”
As recovery efforts continue, MTN’s contribution — both in practical aid and essential communication support — stands as a powerful example of how corporate citizenship can make a difference in the lives of ordinary South Africans facing extraordinary hardship.
– CAJ News