Unseasonably heavy snowstorms, unprecedented in their intensity and reach, battered coastal regions of South Africa over the weekend, leaving a tragic toll of two deaths and widespread disruption.
The storms, which blanketed large swathes of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, forced the closure of major highways, including the vital N3 route to Durban, and brought life to a standstill for thousands.
The fatalities, attributed to hypothermia, occurred after two individuals became trapped in vehicles stranded by the relentless snowfall on the N3. One victim was a 39-year-old woman travelling in a minibus, highlighting the vulnerability of those caught unprepared by the sudden and severe weather conditions.
The sheer volume of snow, coupled with icy conditions and drastically reduced visibility, rendered many stretches of highway impassable, leaving scores of motorists stranded for upwards of 12 hours.
Emergency services responded swiftly, working tirelessly to clear the affected roads. Dozens of trucks and other vehicles were towed from snowdrifts, while teams distributed essential supplies – food and warm drinks – to those left shivering and hungry in their vehicles.
The scale of the operation was immense, with rescue workers battling against the elements to reach those most in need. Motorists in areas subsequently cleared were urged to exercise extreme caution, as icy patches and lingering snow presented ongoing hazards.
The impact extended far beyond the highways. Schools in KwaZulu-Natal were closed as a precautionary measure, with Provincial Minister for Cooperative Governance, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, issuing a stark warning about the potential for flooding as the snowmelt began.
“As schools remain closed, parents are urged to keep children away from unguarded bodies of water, including rivers and dams,” he stated.
The minister’s warning underscored the multifaceted nature of the crisis, with the immediate threat of hypothermia giving way to the looming danger of widespread flooding.
Farmers across the affected regions faced devastating losses, as their crops were buried under thick layers of snow for two days. The extent of the agricultural damage remains to be assessed, but early indications suggest a significant blow to the agricultural sector.
The prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures has likely caused irreparable harm to many vulnerable plants, impacting food production and livelihoods.
Amidst the chaos and hardship, however, a remarkable display of human resilience and compassion emerged. The stories of ordinary citizens who went above and beyond to assist those in distress stand as a testament to the South African spirit.
One such individual was trucker Miriam Mzangaza, known affectionately as Masigwede. Finding herself stranded on the N3, Mzangaza, a Zimbabwean national, transformed her truck into a refuge for fellow travellers.
“I was travelling from Johannesburg to Durban. I didn’t know the weather would be so bad. I was in Joburg and it was very, very cold there, so I just thought the journey would be cold and didn’t expect to be stuck in snow,” Mzangaza recounted.
She described how conditions deteriorated rapidly after passing Harrismith, with many smaller vehicles struggling to maintain control.
“I was driving something like 30km, and then getting stuck. It got bad very quickly, some small cars were swerving, you were not able to drive. All of us just parked there, I slept there on Friday and Saturday,” she explained.
Happily, Mzangaza was well-prepared.
“Truckers frequently move around with gas stoves and food, and coincidentally, I had purchased groceries before my trip,” she said.
She shared her supplies generously, providing hot chocolate and cornflakes to children, and warm drinks and a respite from the cold to other stranded motorists. At one point, with their water supply exhausted, they resorted to boiling ice to quench their thirst.
“At one point we were boiling the ice because we ran out of water. There was no choice, you are in the middle of snow, in the bush, no shops nearby, you couldn’t even walk to the store because the snow was too much,” she recalled.
Mzangaza’s actions, initially undertaken out of simple compassion, unexpectedly brought her widespread recognition.
“I don’t know how many people I helped, I didn’t plan it. I didn’t even have enough plates and cups, I only had about three. I didn’t expect that. My tears are coming out when motorists are hooting and waving when they see my truck,” she said, visibly moved by the outpouring of gratitude. Her message following the ordeal was one of unity and shared responsibility.
“Learn to share. I’m not a South African, I’m a Zimbabwean. So some of the people heard my accent and they were asking why a foreigner would do this. We are one family, when you are helping, don’t choose the nationality or the skin colour of a person, just help.”
Another inspiring story emerged from the unexpected kindness of Louis Barnard, a 39-year-old software developer from Pretoria who had initially planned a hiking trip to Witsieshoek. His trip was thwarted by the severe weather, but instead of succumbing to disappointment, Barnard turned his cancelled plans into an opportunity to help those in need.
“Retrenched last week, I considered cancelling my hiking trip to KwaZulu-Natal. But realising that ‘sitting in a corner and crying’ wouldn’t change my situation, I chose to go ahead with the trip,” Barnard explained.
He and his fellow hikers found themselves in Harrismith when the extent of the crisis became clear.
“When we walked down the street, we saw them. So it was a thing of ‘Oh my goodness, these people actually do need help, so let’s jump in.’ I was actually standing next to the highway and actually seeing how people were sliding down, trying to just get some food and water,” he said.
Barnard and his friend borrowed shovels from local residents and set about clearing paths through the snow, creating safer access for those trapped in their vehicles.
“The locals gave us some shovels and we actually created steps for people and took the snow away so that they just didn’t have to slide, because snow can get really, really slippery when it ices and melts,” he explained.
He described the exhaustion and vulnerability of those he encountered: “Looking at people’s faces, you could see that they were tired. There were people in their summer clothes, literally shorts and T-shirts… There were people walking for kilometres to get to a supermarket.”
Barnard’s experience profoundly impacted him.
“I think when you’re so stuck and you’re so down, being able to actually go out and help other people, even though you’re quite down, it was very, very moving to me, and I think that’s also why this thing was so emotional for me,” he reflected.
He concluded with a powerful message of altruism: “Do the good that your hands find you to do… I think that oftentimes we are very selfish and we’re not willing to actually just get out of our comfort zones… just doing a little bit helps — just getting up and just doing the good that your hands want you to do.”
His final thoughts highlighted the unifying effect of the crisis: “Listen, I’m a South African, and I’m able to help where I can, and the people, literally, from every race, colour, all South Africans backed me and said, it’s not DNA, it’s RSA. That was probably the most proud moment for me.”
The unprecedented snowstorms have left a lasting impact on South Africa, but the stories of Mzangaza and Barnard serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience and compassion that can emerge even in the face of adversity.
Miriam Mzangaza, a Zimbabwean woman whose life story is as remarkable as her recent act of kindness, was born 50 years ago in Kwekwe, a city located at the centre of Zimbabwe. After completing her O-Levels, she embarked on a journey that took her far beyond the familiar streets of her hometown. Her early career as a hairdresser provided the financial foundation for her next ambition: obtaining a driver’s license. This seemingly simple step would ultimately shape the trajectory of her life, leading her across borders and through diverse professions.
From Gaborone, Botswana, where she worked as a maid, to a farm in Booka Village driving a T35 truck, Miriam’s determination shone through. Even while working in the physically demanding roles of a maid and later in the construction industry as a carpenter specializing in roofing and cupboard fitting, her dream of becoming a truck driver never faltered.
She navigated the challenges of a male-dominated trucking industry with unwavering persistence, facing setbacks and rejections with resilience. Her journey took her back to Zimbabwe, where she drove taxis, gaining experience and honing her skills before returning to Botswana and eventually finding her way to South Africa, where she finally realised her dream.
Miriam’s story is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity for perseverance. Having worked as a hairdresser, maid, carpenter, and even briefly in a private mortuary in Serowe, Botswana, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a truck driver. Her experience highlights the importance of pursuing one’s aspirations, even when faced with obstacles.
Her words, “If you have a driver’s license and can’t get a job as a driver, find something to do than to relax. Just imagine I worked as a maid but I was having a driver’s license,” encapsulate her unwavering determination and serve as an inspiration to others. Her journey, marked by both hardship and triumph, underscores the remarkable resilience and unwavering spirit that ultimately led her to become the beacon of hope she was during the recent South African snowstorm.