14/08/2026
When you step onto a boat, you shouldn't have to wonder whether the system has done its job to keep you safe.
The Lake Kariba tragedy is a painful reminder that Disaster Risk Reduction begins long before an emergency call is made.
It begins with prevention.
We need to ask:
Who checked the vessel?
Who verified passenger capacity?
Who assessed the weather?
Who was responsible for enforcement?
And when previous incidents raised safety concerns, were those lessons actually acted upon?
This is where sustainability and disaster risk reduction meet.
A sustainable transport system is not only environmentally responsible. It must also be safe, resilient, well-regulated and accountable.
This applies to boats, buses, trains and aircraft alike.
Hazard → Risk → Safety controls → Enforcement → Prevention.
When those barriers weaken, a hazard can become a disaster.
We should also distinguish between cultural interpretation and public safety.
People may understand tragedy through their cultural or spiritual beliefs. That deserves respect.
But safety decisions must still be based on evidence, risk assessment, competent regulation and accountability.
We cannot build resilient communities by explaining away preventable risks.
We build resilience by identifying risks early, strengthening systems and making accountability work before lives are lost.
Kariba should not only be remembered.
It should be learned from.
