Western Cape
Grab-and-go kit essential in stormy weather
Be ready for winter
Residents in the Western Cape have been urged to stay warm and safe during this winter.
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said on Thursday, 19 June the provincial government is prepared for winter.
“The Provincial Disaster Management Centre coordinates and supports the district disaster centres, and each local municipality in the province knows what is expected during the coming winter months to keep people safe,” Minister Bredell said.
Minister Bredell said after the recent tragic drowning of a young woman at a low-level bridge in Slanghoek, it is important for the public to be reminded of the safety precautions we need to heed to be safe during inclement weather.
According to information from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, you should prepare a household emergency plan so that your family knows what to do in case of a flood. Assemble a Grab-and-Go Kit and keep it in a designated, easily accessible location.
The Grab-and-Go kit should include:
- Important documents such as IDs passports, birth certificates, policies and clinic cards
- Cellphone recharger
- Essential medication and copies of prescriptions
- Credit cards and money
- First Aid Kit
Prepare your house and property for winter by making sure that water can drain away from your house, check your roof for leaks and ensure that gutters and drains are clear of litter and debris.
“We appeal to the public not to litter or dump in stormwater drains, as this will stop the water from draining away and cause even more flooding,” Minister Bredell said.
During heavy rain, it is important to take note of the following:
- Pay attention to warnings and stay informed. Listen to the radio or check reputable social media such as South African Weather Services or your municipality for updates on where there is a risk of flooding.
- Store a supply of drinking water.
- If you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately.
- If told to evacuate by authorities, please do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances.
- Avoid areas, roads, and passes that are subject to sudden flooding.
- Avoid damaged live electrical infrastructure.
- Do not attempt to walk or drive over a flooded road. Even 15 cm of fast-moving floodwater can knock you off your feet, and a depth of two feet is enough to float a car. Never try to walk, swim or drive through such swift running water.
- Avoid contact with flood water as it can be mixed with sewerage, oil, fuel, or dangerous chemicals. Prevent children from playing in and near flood waters.
Minister Bredell asked the public to trust and listen to emergency personnel when instructions are issued relating to flood prevention or during rescue operations. Source: westerncape.gov.za
Health care gets a proper shot in the arm
Just as the doctor ordered
There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for health care in the Western Cape.
In March 2025, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness launched an innovative healthcare think tank — a first-of-its-kind initiative bringing public and private healthcare professionals together.
The collaborative, which includes private hospitals, laboratories and pharmacy groups, health care funders, academic institutions, and the provincial Department of Health and Wellness, has been working to maximise resources and co-create a ‘Western Cape’ universal healthcare strategy —one built on partnership and innovation.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, emphasised the importance of collaboration in delivering a patient-centred healthcare system.
She said: “Healthcare is a team effort. To meet both the immediate and long-term needs of our residents, we need the public and private sectors, alongside academic experts, to work together to find smarter, more efficient ways to deliver quality care.”
The think tank is also developing strategies for implementing initial joint projects to improve healthcare delivery on the ground.
One potential solution under consideration is enabling public-sector patients to access specialised medical equipment and diagnostic imaging at private facilities where these are not available in the public health system.
Many private hospitals have advanced technology, such as CT scanners and MRI machines, which public-sector patients, especially those in rural areas, often struggle to access without travelling long distances. By working together, the public and private sectors could reduce unnecessary travel, improve patient care, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
“I want to thank our private-sector and academic partners for joining us on this journey, and I look forward to the solutions that we create together,” Wenger said. Source: Western Cape Government
Fund launched to boost social services sector
Caring for non-profits
The Cape Care Fund, an initiative aimed at boosting the resilience of organisations in the social services sector, was launched on Friday, 6 June 2025.
The Cape Care Fund is a Special Purpose Vehicle created between the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) and The Health Foundation of South Africa to raise funds to further support the work of DSD through vetted, registered, compliant, well-functioning non-profit organisations (NPOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with a proven track record of quality service delivery in the social services sector, in the Western Cape.
NPOs and NGOs in South Africa and the Western Cape are facing the combined impact of static or reduced government transfers and donor funding in the wake of South Africa’s post-Covid-19 economic downturn. Many funders, including government, have faced reduced income and have had to reduce or even cease funding NPOs altogether.
During the last three financial years (2022/23 – 2024/25), organisations across various sectors in the Western Cape have had to close their doors due to budget shortfalls, including:
- 12 NPO child protection branches rendering statutory services
- 3 Homes for Older Persons
- 18 community centres for older persons
- 4 NPO-run Child and Youth Care Centres
Organisations like these play an essential role alongside government in promoting the wellbeing of our communities, especially those operating in the social development sector.
Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt said: “When I stepped into office last year, one of the first things I did was ask the Department of Social Development to do everything possible to strengthen support to this vital sector. Through the Cape Care Fund, we are hopeful to take NPOs and NGOs from surviving to thriving, for the benefit of our most vulnerable residents. I encourage businesses and residents that want to help create positive change by uplifting communities and individuals to support this initiative.”
Health Foundation CEO Harry Grainger said: “The Cape Care Fund exemplifies how innovative financing, and strategic collaboration can contribute to improved economic resilience and sustainable development. We invite all stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey—working together towards a sustainable, inclusive, and healthier society.”
For more information about the Cape Care Fund, visit www.capecarefund.org.za
Source: Western Cape Government