Several homes suffered significant roof damage as gale-force winds swept through Wynberg, leaving residents in distress.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane
The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) has announced a partnership with Gift of the Givers to support communities across the Western Cape devastated by recent floods.
Newlands Cricket Stadium will serve as an official collection point for in-kind donations from Monday.
This comes after the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has reportedly confirmed that 18 people have died across South Africa following severe weather conditions that have brought widespread heavy rain, flooding, thunderstorms and strong winds since May 4.
The Western Cape has been the worst-affected province, accounting for 11 fatalities.
This is followed by the Northern Cape with three deaths, the Free State with two, and one death each recorded in the North West and Mpumalanga.
A national disaster has been declared across six provinces, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Free State and Mpumalanga.
The severe weather has displaced thousands of people, particularly those living in informal settlements, with many residents affected in the Western Cape alone.
The WPCA said the floods had caused widespread destruction across the province, affecting areas from the Cape Metropole to Worcester, the Breede River Valley, Rawsonville, Ceres, Villiersdorp and Elim.
“Tens of thousands of people have been affected, with homes washed away, infrastructure damaged, crops destroyed, and many communities left without access to essential resources.”
WPCA CEO Corrie van Zyl said, “While Western Province Cricket Association and Newlands have also felt the effects of the recent storms, it has not been as traumatising as it has been for many communities across the Western Cape.”
Van Zyl said their hearts went out to those in smaller and rural areas who had suffered immense loss.
“I’ve personally witnessed the devastation, and it is deeply moving. We are proud to partner with Gift of the Givers, who continue to do an incredible job providing relief in times like this.
“Through this partnership, Newlands will become a drop-off point for much-needed supplies, as many people have lost their livelihoods and currently have no access to basic necessities such as water, food and blankets. We urge the public to support Gift of the Givers in reaching those who need it most.”
Van Zyl said the collaborative initiative aimed to provide urgent humanitarian relief and restore dignity to affected families.
The WPCA called on the public to donate new essential items, including mattresses, blankets, linen, towels and face cloths, clothing, non-perishable food items, bottled water, hygiene packs, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, roll-on deodorant and body lotion, toilet paper, sanitary pads and diapers.
Donations can be delivered directly to Newlands Cricket Stadium from Monday, May 18.
“For those wishing to assist financially, contributions can be made online via Gift of the Givers or BackaBuddy, helping to sustain ongoing large-scale relief operations.”
The WPCA also called on stakeholders, corporates and members of the public to unite in support of the initiative and help bring relief to communities in need.
Cape Times