As engineers, technical crews and organisations work around the clock to restore services, clear roads and bring humanitarian relief, the Executive Mayor of Theewaterskloof along with her coalition partners have spent the past two days on the road evaluating the devastation and encouraging victims.
Mary Liebenberg visited residents in Villiersdorp, Greyton and Genadendal that were heavily affected by the catastrophic floods that have left many displaced and have crippled the road network within the Overberg region.
Speaking during door-to-door visits in Villiersdorp Liebenberg said it was heartbreaking to see the loss that people have encountered. “During the worst weather-related disaster in Theewaterskloof in decades, this for me was not a time for the limelight and the public stage,” said Liebenberg. “Instead, I moved from town to town and street to street to feel the effects that the storm disaster had on our people and to help where I could.
“I helped in soup kitchens, distributed emergency material, and held the hands of some of the most vulnerable people I had ever met. I left most of the media consulting and communications, about the effect of the flood, and the subsequent disaster, in the capable hands of the municipal manager and his brilliant team. I use this opportunity to thank the municipal manager and everyone who has been working on the ground in the most challenging circumstances to restore infrastructure and maintain service delivery.”
Now, in the wake of the storm, Liebenberg said it was time to inform the people of Theewaterskloof of the impact of the storm on municipal, district and provincial infrastructure.
Hundreds of families have been left homeless and displaced, with the majority of damage in Bot River, Grabouw, Villiersdorp. Genadendal and Greyton. The municipality provided physical and material support while it facilitated the involvement of NGOs, Gift of the Givers and many other role-players,
Those displaced were sheltering either with loved ones or in various buildings across Theewaterskloof and were in need of blankets, warm socks, shoes, toiletries, duvets, pillows or hot meals.
For those wishing to donate any of the above-mentioned items teams will be ready to receive donations at the following: Thusong Centre (Grabouw), Resource Centre (Villiesdorp), Victoria Hall (Caledon), Red Cross (Greyton/ Genadendal), Community Hall (Botrivier) and the Community Hall (Riviersonderend).
