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Why is there snow and drought at the same time in Southern Africa?

Southern Africa has been experiencing a drought which affected almost 70 million people. At the same time, South Africa received snow. How鈥檚 this possible?

鈥淵ou catch the flu time and again. Once the weather gets this bad, guaranteed, we get sick鈥 - Calvin Takesure, South African resident

On the weekend of the 21st of September 2024, several provinces of South Africa were hit by a heavy snowstorm.

Motorists travelling on the N3, one of the national roads towards the coastal city of Durban, were stuck in traffic and forced to sleep in their vehicles.

Tragically, two people lost their lives as a result of hypothermia.

At the same time, other parts of the country experienced freezing weather conditions, leaving people who either live or work on the streets severely affected.

All of this is happening at a time when Southern Africa is experiencing a devastating drought.

Today Alan Kasujja attempts to understand why the region is hit by extremely dry and wet weather conditions simultaneously.

Guests: Lehlohonolo Thobela, Sanele Nkosi, Calvin Takesure and Pholane Polite

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20 minutes

Podcast