Mogale city: The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) recently organized an unprecedented roundtable dedicated to the management of sinkholes and dolomite. This initiative marks a significant step in addressing the challenges posed by these geological phenomena, aligning government efforts with scientific and engineering expertise to enhance prevention, preparedness, and resilience.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Council for Geoscience (CGS) has highlighted that while some sinkholes occur naturally, a majority are exacerbated by human activities such as aging infrastructure failures, mining, and groundwater extraction, notably in Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Johannesburg. By analyzing data dating back to the 1940s, the CGS identified key triggers such as water ponding, underground leaks, and excessive water abstraction, and proposed measures including water loss control and risk-based land-use regulation.

The session brought together a diverse grou
p of experts and stakeholders, including representatives from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the mining industry, academia, municipalities, engineering professionals, and community leaders. CoGTA Deputy Minister Dr. Namane Dickson Masemola emphasized the importance of South Africa taking a leading role in addressing dolomitic land challenges through science and intergovernmental cooperation.

Dr. Masemola called for strong political and administrative leadership to transform these discussions into practical solutions and actionable work. Held in Mogale City, the roundtable was the first coordinated effort in the province to consolidate scientific, technical, and policy perspectives on managing dolomitic land and preventing sinkhole-related disasters.

The CSIR presented technological innovations such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and geolocation tools for early detection, advocating for the creation of a centralized GIS-based
data repository and municipal capacity-building to improve coordinated, science-led risk management. Experts at the roundtable agreed on the necessity for stronger alignment between geological science, infrastructure planning, and disaster management legislation to ensure coherent responses and better resource mobilization.

The Deputy Minister further directed the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) to strengthen its funding, mitigation, and research frameworks, ensuring that sinkhole management receives priority attention in national disaster planning. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) will compile the outcomes of the roundtable into a technical brief to guide the Disaster Management Workstream of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy, ensuring that Gauteng’s response to dolomitic risks is proactive, coordinated, and science-led.