The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has expressed serious public safety concerns after 40 people were reported to have been hit by lightning around Majaneng, a rural village in the Hammanskraal area, near Pretoria, earlier this month.
The lightning observation map for 3 January 2026 (12 pm to 10 pm) showed intense thunderstorm activity over the northern parts of Gauteng, with a high concentration of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning strikes in and around the highlighted region of interest.
“This period coincides with the timeframe during which fatalities and multiple hospitalisations were reported at the troupe event. These incidents serve as a critical reminder that lightning poses a real and significant danger, particularly in the eastern half of South Africa, which is one of the most lightning-prone countries in the world” SAWS said on Wednesday.
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The weather service report indicates that activity peaked between 5pm and 6pm, with 713 strikes (39%).
“The events were mostly negative cloud-to-ground strokes (1764 negative vs 66 positive), with a mean amplitude of −13.73 kA, though some strong positive strokes reached 54.9 kA, indicating mature storm stages and surface hazard.
“The negative strokes were much stronger, with maximum of -179.7 kA recorded, indicating an exceptionally powerful lightning strike during the period,” the weather service said.
Lightning occurred at a mean distance of 14.5 km, but the closest strike was 1.4 km, showing direct risk to the settlement.
“The highest lightning densities occur over the north-eastern interior, particularly Mpumalanga, Limpopo and parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal, where values locally exceed 15 to 20 flashes per square kilometre. These regions frequently experience intense summer thunderstorms, driven by strong surface heating, deep atmospheric instability and an influx of warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean,” it said.
Much of the central interior, including Gauteng, the Free State and North West, show moderate lightning activity of approximately five to 10 flashes per square kilometre.
This reflects the Highveld’s climatology, where afternoon and evening convective storms are common during the summer rainfall season.
Lightning is strongly associated with deep convective clouds, which develop most readily in warm, moist and unstable environments, conditions that are far less common in the western parts of the country.
The public is urged to take lightning warnings seriously.
“If thunder is heard, it means lightning is close enough to pose a danger. Outdoor activities should be stopped immediately, and people should seek shelter in fully enclosed buildings or inside vehicles with closed windows.
“People should avoid open fields, hilltops, trees, metal fences, poles, water bodies, and temporary structures. If no shelter is available, individuals should spread out, crouch low with feet together, minimise contact with the ground, and avoid lying flat,” SAWS said.
After a thunderstorm, activities should only resume at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.
The SAWS said it is important to note that lightning strike victims do not carry an electrical charge, and it is safe to assist them.
Emergency services should be contacted immediately, and CPR should be administered if trained to do so.
Lightning-related injuries and fatalities are largely preventable through awareness, preparedness, and timely action.
The South African Weather Service will continue to closely monitor evolving weather and climate conditions and will provide weekly updates and early warnings where necessary to support public safety and preparedness. -SAnews.gov.za
