 | Premier Winde commends Drakenstein Municipality’s storm response during Gouda visit
28 May 2026 | Press Releases |
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde visited Gouda on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, as part of his tour across the province to communities hardest hit by the recent storms.
He met with senior Drakenstein Municipality officials to assess the impact and received updates on how the Municipality managed the storm and its aftermath. He also engaged with affected residents.
Between 10 and 12 May 2026, severe storms brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Cape Winelands and other parts of the Western Cape, with 188mm recorded in Paarl and 159mm in Wellington. Gouda's informal settlement was among the hardest hit, forcing residents to seek temporary shelter elsewhere.
Drakenstein Municipality activated its Disaster Management Plan ahead of the storm, clearing drains and trimming trees in high‑risk areas. Emergency teams remained on standby and responded across the municipal area.
From 11 to 15 May 2026, the Municipality accommodated 160 displaced residents at the Gouda Community Hall, where a soup kitchen was established. Relief efforts were coordinated in partnership with humanitarian organisations Gift of the Givers and the Al-Imdaad Foundation, which provided hot meals and hygiene packs. The Municipality's Joint Operations Centre also coordinated a specialised water rescue operation, safely evacuating 10 residents who had been stranded on a private property along the Klein Berg River.
During his visit, Premier Winde met directly with residents and heard first-hand accounts of their challenges.
“We are here not just to look at the clean-up, but to see what still needs to be done so this doesn't happen again in future," he said.
The Premier added that while immediate recovery efforts remain important, long-term interventions must also be prioritised.
“Once the mop-up operations are done, we need to ask ourselves how we keep our rivers clean and how we deal with waste removal more effectively," he said.
Premier Winde commended Drakenstein Municipality and all organisations involved in the response effort.
“It sounds like Drakenstein has a plan. But when it is dry, that is when the real work must continue. We need to get things done before the next storm comes."
He thanked municipal teams, emergency personnel, volunteers and humanitarian organisations for stepping in to support affected residents.
“We are dealing with a big issue, but we must still say thank you – whether it was a meal, shelter, or simply ensuring people were safe when they needed help most."
#DrakensteinMunicipality #CityOfExcellence
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Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
