The National Disaster Management Centre last week, almost six weeks after the devastating September floods, declared them a national disaster for the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces.
The disaster classification now makes it possible for the provincial government to approach the National Disaster Management Centre for relief funds to support the work needed to recover and repair damage suffered to public infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges and water networks.
Already, the Western Cape government has worked tirelessly to repair damage to among other things essential roads.
According to unconfirmed figures, only around 14 roads in the province remain closed as repairs are prioritised for roads that connect communities and are vital for economic activity. In the aftermath of the floods, both the N1 and N2 were closed, together with more than 150 other roads.
The damage assessments for these floods so far is put at R441 million for provincial infrastructure and a further R154 million for municipal damage.
One can say better late than never, but it is a real shame that the national government is waking up to the extreme damage, which was caused in the province, only now and, on the eve of peak tourism season, which brings a hefty financial boost to the country’s coffers.
