A series of veld and bushfires has prompted the closure of parts of the N2 highway near Nelson Mandela Bay, driven by extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds. Communities remain vigilant as firefighting efforts strain resources in the Eastern Cape. No homes have been lost, but agricultural land has suffered significant damage.
Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape is grappling with a surge in veld and bushfires that began intensifying in December 2025. The blazes, fueled by hot summer temperatures, low rainfall and unpredictable winds, have scorched large areas of land and posed risks to homes and infrastructure.
On Tuesday, 6 January 2026, thick smoke from a fire forced the closure of the N2 highway between Nelson Mandela Bay and Jeffreys Bay, halting traffic and diverting vehicles to the Old Cape Road. The incident, which started late on Monday, 5 January, continued to rage into the afternoon, with municipal teams deploying 10 firefighting vehicles near a wind farm to combat the flames.
Sithembiso Soyaya, spokesperson for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, noted a sharp rise in such fires since December. "These natural weather conditions significantly elevate fire danger levels, allowing fires to spread rapidly and unpredictably once ignited," Soyaya stated. He emphasized that areas like open veld, road reserves and spots near residential zones are most affected, pressuring emergency services.
Kanyiso Miti from Agri Eastern Cape explained that the fire along the N2 had initially been contained but reignited due to the heat, wind and dryness. "Because of today’s wind, the fire picked up and spread rapidly along the N2," Miti said, adding that it may have been sparked by discarded cigarette butts from motorists. Support came from farmer teams in the Van Stadens area and Working on Fire crews, but the road remained closed indefinitely due to dense smoke.
Johan Cloete of Farm Comm PE reported that volunteer crews handled about eight major fires in the past two weeks. While no buildings were destroyed, at least 100 hectares of grazing and agricultural land were lost. Fires often start in inaccessible bushy areas, complicating early responses, as Cloete highlighted: "By the time we can reach them, wind shifts can push the fire in a completely different direction."
Garth Sampson, a retired weather service employee, pointed to exceptionally low rainfall over the past six months, exacerbating the dry conditions. Officials urge residents and drivers to stay alert and report fires promptly to prevent escalation.
