“The dramatic and tragic flooding you experienced in KZN is a stark reminder to all of us in South Africa that we cannot control Mother Nature. The disaster also reminded us that Mother Nature does not care about the administrative borders we have put in place. It is also a reminder, and a warning, that climate change can have devastating consequences as we go into the future,” Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said.
He was addressing MEC Hlomuka from KZN, who traveled with a delegation of officials to the Western Cape to personally thank and recognise the work done during the disaster by Western Cape officials and rescue workers.
“I want to thank you for your selfless and fast response to KZN during the flooding in April and May. Rescue workers from the Western Cape left their families to come and risk their lives to help us. We lost 450 lives, and 80 people are still unaccounted for. But without your assistance, these numbers could have been much higher,” MEC Hlomuka said.
Bredell said it is crucial for government entities to work together across borders. There is a Coastal Provinces Protocol agreement in place, which allowed for quick response between the Western Cape and KZN. “We need to take this cooperation to a higher level and cooperate even more, as this is to the benefit of South Africa.”
Bredell also thanked private sector partners who supported the rescue mission. “Disaster Management is expensive, and we really need our private sector partners in this regard. Bredell specifically mentioned Heal our Land, DHL, and Sarza. Sarza provided off-road vehicle support in difficult to access areas during the mission.
Colin Deiner, Chief Director for Western Cape Disaster Management Centre said that in terms of disaster preparedness, the most important aspect is to have strong partners you can count on in difficult times.
Source: Government of South Africa