. * Whitespace between elements are ignored. For example: * foobar abc * will become: * foobarabc

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('footerleaderboard'); }); Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has welcomed a declaration by the national government of the drought in the province as a national disaster. He says this enables authorities to be preventative, to move money around and to use the disaster as a risk management tool.

He says the dam levels are around the 50% mark.

[LISTEN] Western Cape pleads with Ramaphosa to declare a state of disaster over water shortages and wild fires

🔗 https://t.co/MUtLn2CEmf#TheWeekendView #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/ZBB7EeaE0T

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) February 7, 2026

Winde says preparations must be made for a longer summer season, and drier years.

?So, that means it enables us to manage it differently, with funding directed towards areas where the issues are the worst. Of course, we are managing it between national, provincial and local government, with specific focus on those local governments that are most at risk. For example, Minister Bredell and his entire team will meet with the full council in Knysna on Friday to ensure that when we agree that something must happen, it does happen,? says Winde.

RELATED VIDEO | Warning of impending drought in Western Cape