Insurance Association highlights the impact of climate-related catastrophes

Loading player...
GUEST – Themba Palagangwe, SA Insurance Associations's General Manager: Governance and Transformation



Climate-related catastrophes such as floods and storms continue to exert a significant toll on both consumers and society at large, greatly affecting South Africa’s socio-economic landscape.



The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) has observed a notable surge in weather-related insurance claims among its member companies for both property and motor insurance, underscoring the growing vulnerability of individuals and communities to climate change risks.



South Africa experienced severe weather events that resulted in more than 400 deaths and destruction of more than 12 000 homes in 2022. In KwaZulu-Natal, the floods were the most catastrophic natural disaster to hit South Africa in living memory, leading to billions of Rands in economic losses. According to the Western Cape government, at least R3.5 billion worth of infrastructure was destroyed in two major floods in June and September last year. Such devastating events have a huge impact on the well-being of communities.



In response to this escalating trend, SAIA remains committed to enhancing consumer awareness and promoting risk management frameworks. By advocating for the adoption of non-life insurance products and services as integral components of comprehensive risk mitigation measures, SAIA aims to empower individuals and households to navigate the evolving challenges posed by climate change.
8 Apr 2024 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Sasfin Wealth’s rebrand to Otto1890

Erol Zeki, CEO of Otto1890 (formerly known as Sasfin Wealth), joins us to talk about the group’s strategic shift beyond the branding. The group is looking to tap into private market opportunities, amongst other things.
30 Mar 5PM 17 min

SA’s producer price outlook deteriorates sharply

Producer price inflation showed signs of easing in January, according to data from Stats SA. Economists from Nedbank say the outlook has deteriorated sharply, and Johannes Khosa explains why…
30 Mar 5PM 11 min

Careers Corner – Are degrees still relevant in SA’s job market

South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis has raised concerns about the validity of chasing a degree to secure employability. Professor Linda du Plessis, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, North-West University, argues that there is still value with the right approach by educators.
30 Mar 5PM 12 min

Middle East-driven energy shock for Africa

We explore how the Middle East-driven global energy shock is reshaping Africa’s fuel security, what it means for businesses and consumers, and whether the crisis could accelerate a shift toward more resilient, local energy solutions. For more on this, we caught up with NJ Ayuk, CEO of the African Energy…
30 Mar 5PM 12 min