As extreme heat waves hit South Africa, especially in the Western and Northern Cape, families are grappling with the health impacts of soaring temperatures. Busisiwe Khumalo from Maitland, Cape Town, recounts a distressing episode from December 2025 when her son suffered from heat stress during a particularly intense heat wave. The warning of extreme heat this week echoes concerns about the recurring threat climate change poses to children's health and well-being.

The impact of the heat is severe; the World Health Organisation has identified heat stress as a leading cause of weather-related fatalities worldwide, accounting for nearly 500,000 deaths annually. In South Africa, where temperatures can reach alarming highs, the vulnerability of children remains a major concern. Local health services have begun to see an uptick in heat-related health issues, underscoring the urgent need for public awareness and preventive measures.

Academics and health professionals, like Jennifer Fitchett from the University of the Witwatersrand, emphasize that these extreme weather events are becoming more common due to climate change. They warn that without adequate public health strategies and climate adaptation measures, communities, especially those with children, will continue to face heightened risks. The increasing frequency of these heatwaves necessitates action from both the government and community members to mitigate the effects and protect children's health.