At least five people have been killed after heavy rain and strong winds battered the resort town of Margate in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province on Sunday, with the severe weather toppling trees and inflicting significant damage to infrastructure, cars, homes and businesses. Margate was left reeling from the vicious storm that hit South Africa's east coast on Sunday evening, causing five fatalities in the town. Three of the victims reportedly drowned when the car they were traveling in was swept into a nearby river. As the clear-up work continues, authorities sent out a message to all those affected. "We are sending condolences to the families of those people that have passed on. We are also sending our sympathies to those that have been able to be rescued," said Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, KwaZulu-Natal's Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Weather warnings came too late as roads turned into raging rivers, uprooting trees, damaging homes, businesses and inflicting damage upon critical power, water and telecommunications infrastructure. Shell-shocked locals say they are still coming to terms with the disaster as the lengthy recovery process now gets underway. "We are all shocked, cannot believe the devastation. The roads are cracked up and washed away. There's big holes in the ground and we're all living here, in the lower area here. We're worried that we'll never be able to get this back to the way it was," said a resident named Lydia. Disaster relief funds are being mobilized to help those affected by the freak storm in Margate and the surrounding areas, as teams on the ground continue to survey the full extent of the damage. "The assessment is continuing because it's not only in Ray Nkonyeni. We are also having some damages in Umzumbe and Umdoni. Teams are on the sites gathering information on how many people and households have been affected and how much that is going to cost," said Bongiwe. KwaZulu-Natal province has witnessed a spate of heavy rain and severe flooding in recent years. In 2022, more than 450 people were killed in the region, making it one of South Africa's worst ever natural disasters.
Clear-up work underway after deadly storm hits S African resort town
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that China is a true friend as he recalls his meetings with the Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as bilateral ties in the past years.
The bilateral relationship has been forged amidst the trials of adversity and fortified by resolute support, as recalled by Vucic himself, who said he hopes to work on a memoir that preserves those remarkable stories of their extraordinary friendship.
In 2022, President Vucic attended the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and met with his old friend. President Xi expressed his delight at their reunion.
"I'm very happy to meet my old friend President Vucic once gain. It has been a while since our last meeting face to face. Welcome to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics," said Xi.
During their meeting, Vucic emphasized that Serbia will be a true friend to be counted on at any time.
"As always here in China, and I can say that not only me but all of us that came from Serbia, we feel at home. You can count on Serbia as a true friend. Doesn't matter what kind of pressure or different type of influences, nothing can change our friendship of steel and our friendly approach towards China and Chinese people," said Vucic.
In fact, this meeting was not the starting point of their friendship. Their extraordinary relations can be traced back to the year 2016 when Xi embarked on a visit to a struggling steel mill of Serbia. Xi fondly recalled the unforgettable experience, where he witnessed the overwhelming support and affection of the Serbian people.
"I still remember my last visit to the steel mill. All people went out to welcome us. It was really moving," said Xi.
Back then, Serbia's pride, a century-old steel mill, teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. Recognizing the plight of Serbian workers, President Xi and Chinese enterprises extended a helping hand, saving the steel mill from its imminent demise. Over 5,000 workers were given a lifeline, returning to their cherished workshops.
"We don't need to brag about anything. All we need is a sincere, solemn promise. The Chinese people value keeping their words and delivering on their promises. We consider promises as valuable as gold. In other words, when we make a promise, we must fulfill it without fail. We will provide advanced technology, management and equipment, explore better markets, improve the employment environment and benefit the livelihoods of the people," said Xi.
Xi was later presented a gift from Serbian workers to express their gratitude. He accepted the gift and acknowledged its special meaning.
"This gift is worth a lot. It represents Serbian workers. I treasure it very much," said Xi.
Vucic said he was proud to welcome Xi in his country and looked forward to more encounters.
"I'm proud and honored that I had a chance to host him here in Serbia [and I] hope that it was not the last time and proud I had a chance to speak to him several times," said Vucic.
The friendship between two presidents was also cemented by shared visions and common pursuit. Xi once shared his wisdom of weathering through difficult times in his keynote speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
"When in difficulties, do not blame yourself or others, do not give up hope or escape responsibilities. What we should do is to overcome difficulties together. The history is written by brave people," said Xi.
"I can say that I was amazed with the speech of President Xi at Davos, and it was a kind of a revolution that happened in a day. Everybody fell in love with the Chinese President at that day," said Vucic.
Their friendship was further tested in 2020 when the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic. President Vucic found himself desperately seeking assistance, only to face disappointment at every turn. In those trying moments, President Xi assured him of China's unwavering support. True to his word, a steady stream of medical supplies as well as medical workers arrived in Serbia, providing vital aid and solace in their darkest hour.
"You can realize the great international solidarity does not exist, and the Europe solidarity does not exist. That is just fairy tales on books. Today I sent a special letter. We place high expectations on the only one who provides help in times of difficulty. That is China," said Vucic.
Serbia vowed never to forget China's generous gesture, as facts had proved that their friendship is not just a symbolic gesture but a bond forged through shared hardships.
"China's own fight against the pandemic is not yet over, but it has expressed its willingness to help we Serbian brothers. Serbia will never forget this. China is our old friend, a country with multiple ethnicities and a history spanning thousands of years. They have shown us friendship in our most difficult times. When they encounter difficulties, we will know how to repay our Chinese friends," said Vucic.
Vucic's words resonated deeply with President Xi, who said their ironclad friendship had withstood the tests of time and the ever-shifting tides of destiny.
"There is no doubt that our iron-clad friendship is always evident and long-lasting. We have withstood the tests of evolving times," said Xi.
To capture the essence of their special friendship, Vucic plans to write a book as a testament to the power of friendship between himself and President Xi, as well as between the two countries.
"[We] would be able even today to write a book about our meetings," said Vucic.
Serbian president recounts friendship with Xi, China
