‘Lightning strikes a very real danger to South Africans’ – SAWS

South Africa is of the most lightning-prone countries in the world. Estimates are that between 100 and 300 South Africans, including farmers and farmworkers, die annually from lightning strikes. In the wake of recent mass casualty lightning strike in Gauteng and North West, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is urging people, especially rural residents, to take immense care.

By Lloyd Phillips

About 40 people of the rural Majaneng village in Gauteng’s Hammanskraal district were reportedly struck or otherwise affected by lightning on 03 January. On the same day, reportedly two people died and a further 150 or so injured or otherwise affected by a lightning event in North-West.

To underscore just how much potentially deadly lightning many parts of South African can receive, between midday and 10 pm on 03 January, SAWS recorded 1 830 lightning events within a 20 kilometre radius of the Majaneng village.

According to information found by African Farming, even a fraction of an ampere of electrical current can cause serious harm and even death to people. SAWS says the lightning events in the vicinity of Majaneng averaged 13 730 amperes each.

SAWS wants people to understand that although lightning events occur most frequently across central and eastern South Africa during the period October to March, any situation anywhere at any time where lightning is present should be treated as a potentially dangerous situation.

“People do not need to be hit directly to be harmed by lightning. Injuries commonly occur through ground current, where lightning strikes the ground and electricity spreads outwards. Other mechanisms include side flashes from nearby objects such as trees or poles, contact with conductive materials like fences, and direct strikes.

“Gatherings in open spaces significantly increase the risk of multiple injuries. Factors that contribute to this include standing close together, the presence of tall objects or temporary structures, metal equipment, elevated terrain, and delays in seeking shelter. Tents and gazebos do not provide adequate protection against lightning.”

These were all the lightning events recorded across South Africa in only a ten hour period of 03 January 2026. The “Region of interest” indicates the Majaneng village where reportedly approximately 40 people were struck by lightning, and some of whom reportedly died as a result. Image: South African Weather Service — These were all the lightning events recorded across South Africa in only a ten hour period of 03 January 2026. The “Region of interest” indicates the Majaneng village where reportedly approximately 40 people were struck or otherwise affected by lightning. Image: South African Weather Service

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Tips to keep safe

For people to avoid harm from lightning, SAWS strongly recommends that:

the public take lightning warnings seriously;

outdoor activities should be stopped immediately;

shelter should be sought 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, people should spread out, crouch low with their feet together, and avoid lying flat to minimize contact with the ground; and,

outdoor activities should only resume at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.

SAWS explains that people struck by lightning do not carry any residual electricity and so can be given medical assistance immediately.

SAWS offers a buffer zone lightning alert service that provides advance warnings of lightning activity in various areas. Enquiries regarding this service can be emailed to info4@weathersa.co.za.