The insurance industry needs to re-assess fire risk in such circumstances, and the way in which the risk is borne by those with insurance. After all, a shift of a few degrees in the wind can cost the insurance industry billions of rands. They must recognise the need to protect their stakeholders' investments. Government, too, has acted quickly to put more measures in place. Other measures are under discussion and will be announced soon.
Mitigation is one side of the story.
The other relates to planning and foresight. As Government, we must continue to take all steps to ensure that we are properly prepared at all times. We need to be able to react fast when disaster strikes, in order to minimise the damage that may be caused. In this respect, we must commend the many people from the different structures of government who moved into action with speed and efficiency. When it became clear that reinforcements were needed during the fire, Minister Mufamadi arranged for the deployment of emergency services from Gauteng.