Scorching heat and high humidity, is a common feature of Durban’s weather in January. Since the 6th of January, the city has been expected to experience maximum temperature exceeding thirty degrees, accompanied by a high humidity index in the afternoon. These conditions will make the municipality feel significantly warmer and increase the risk of heat-related health issues.
Spokesperson Garrith Jamieson of the ALS Paramedics, has warned that the combination of heat and humidity elevates the potential of heat stress, dehydration and heat stroke. Jamieson has issued firm guidance for the local public to protect their health under these conditions:
Stay hydrated
Drink water regularly throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty.
Limit exposure to direct sun
If you work outside or must be outdoors:
- Take regular breaks in shaded or cooler areas.
- Wear light-coloured, breathable clothing and a hat to reduce direct sun exposure.
- Schedule strenuous tasks early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is less intense.
Protect the vulnerable
Young children and older adults are at particular risk
- Keep them out of the sun during peak hours.
- Ensure they have frequent access to water.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion such as fatigue, dizziness, or nausea.
Care for pets
Animals cannot regulate heat as effectively as humans:
- Provide constant access to cool, clean water.
- Keep pets in the shade or indoors during the hottest periods of the day.
- Avoid walking pets on hot pavement.
Exercising in heat
If you plan to exercise outdoors:
- Reduce intensity and take frequent hydration breaks.
- Avoid midday workouts when heat and UV exposure are highest.
- Be alert to symptoms like headache, confusion, or unusual fatigue — these may signal heat stress.
As indicated above, caution should be exercised when spending time out-doors. Carrying bottled water can be a life-saving habit. Consuming cool fluids such as water, milk or juice helps lower body temperature, and even ice cream can provide relief. Staying shaded with a hat and wearing light-coloured thin garments that allow your skin to breathe is an effective way to keep cool whether out doors or in doors. When inside, keep fans or air conditioners running. Ensure that children and elderly relatives understand the importance of drinking water at least every half hour.
Pets such as cats and dogs will naturally spend more time indoors to stay cool. Dogs, in particular, should have a kennel to rest in if they spend much of their time outside. All pets should have access to plenty of fresh water, so keep it available at all times. If you exercise outdoors – whether jogging, cycling, or warming up – do so in the mornings when temperatures are lower, and always carry a bottle of water with you.
Meanwhile, a security guard has been honoured for his remarkable bravery, after he rescued a young child from drowning.
An attorney from Umhlanga, Durban, celebrates the efforts of a security officer, Ntokozo Sambo, for saving a young child from drowning. In November 2025, a Marshall Security officer acted instinctively when he heard a scream for help at an Umhlanga Holiday Accommodation. Another officer helped him jump over the wall, and he saw the child in the water. He jumped into the pool and managed to pull him out of the water and perform CPR. Sambo said that he didn’t have time to think things through but acted out of instinct. Listen to an interview shared on social media, courtesy of Facebook, where he explains what happened. Almost two months later, Sambo’s bravery is still being celebrated by the community.
An attorney from Umhlanga, Durban, Umesh Jivan from Jivan & Co. Inc., expressed gratitude over the bravery displayed by Ntokozo Sambo and rewarded him with a gift. IOL reported that Jivan expressed how the incident left a lasting impression on him. I was joyful of his rescue by Ntokozo as the boy has his entire life to cherish because of the bravery and skills of Ntokozo who has lived up to his nickname of ‘Happy’.
It is heroics such as this that prevent tragedy from taking place. Security guard Ntokozo Sambo acted on instinct and was able to prevent the loss of innocent life. The incident at Umhlanga Holiday Accommodation raises important questions: How was a young boy left unsupervised? Why was he at the pool side? What would have happened if Sambo and the other security guard had not heard the screams?
This incident occurred in November, as summer was setting in. Perhaps the boy had fallen in due to exhaustion from the heat. It was good fortune—and fate—that Ntokozo and his fellow security guard were on duty and acted swiftly. The rescue has been widely acknowledged.
That said, lessons should be learned from the incident. While more details about the rescue will be shared in the upcoming interview on Facebook and social media platforms, precautions at Umhlanga Holiday Accommodation will be strengthened. Nonetheless, Ntokozo deserves a reward as well as public gratitude for his actions. There is no telling how this incident might have ended had he not heard the screams from beyond that wall.
Summer often brings both heat and surprises—whether good or bad.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
