Western Cape Provincial Government Drought Indaba

The Western Cape Provincial Department of Local Government, together with the Department of Water Affairs will commence a two day drought Indaba, from 24 - 25 May 2010, in George in the Southern Cape. The Indaba will bring together municipalities affected by the current drought conditions believed to be the worst in decades.

With the aim of mobilising expertise across several scientific and managerial disciplines this Indaba aims to find ways of dealing with the present challenges brought by the persistent drought conditions. Discussions at the Indaba will include innovative ways to deal with some of the aspects of the drought.

The Department of Local Government through its disaster management centre will be sharing best practices, lessons learnt, challenges faced and key achievements through its involvement in the recent Eden Drought Crisis.

The Department was involved in areas of drought management which included the facilitation of strategic engagements with relevant Departments as well as Municipalities (Municipal Managers, Engineers and Chief Financial Officers) - mobilisation of emergency resources (tankers), emergency intervention (pipeline), disaster declaration/ redirection of funds, Disaster Management Coordination of the Sedgefield desalination plant, emergency interventions by Provincial Minister Anton Bredell and the declaration of Eden and the Central Karoo as disaster areas.

The Department conceptualised short, medium and long term drought recovery plans. Valuable lessons learnt from the Eden Drought Crisis to be shared at the Indaba include the importance of public awareness, value of integrated coordination, planning and reporting, value of decision support meetings, importance of Treasury's commitment and the need for drought policy and tariff structure. Key achievements to be shared include the extensive cut in water consumption (30% - 40%), excellent public awareness and education, funding (reprioritisation and National Treasury R53.7m and R141.5m), water demand management as well as innovative emergency projects.

In attendance will be the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Social Development, Environmental Affairs, Treasury, Municipalities from the drought affected areas (Eden & Central Karoo) and Government officials from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal.