The Western Cape Government, in collaboration with Santam, launched a two-day Disaster Resilience Summit at the Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers in Century City, aimed at fortifying the province against climate-related disasters and systemic shocks.
The summit, which convened leaders from government, academia, municipalities, and the private sector, focused on co-developing practical solutions to build resilient communities in the face of growing environmental challenges.
Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, opened the event with a call for proactive measures. “We must shift decisively from reactive disaster management to proactive risk reduction,” Bredell emphasized. “Resilience planning allows us to anticipate risks rather than merely respond to them after the fact.”
He cited compelling evidence from the World Bank, noting that every US$1 invested in disaster-resilient infrastructure saves an estimated US$4 in economic losses, while the Global Commission on Adaptation reports that enhanced early warning systems can reduce hazard-related damage by up to 30%.
The summit aligns with the upcoming International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13, themed “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.” Its program is structured around five key areas: climate risk and infrastructure resilience, integrated disaster risk management and early warning, community-based adaptation and social resilience, governance and financing, and data and digital resilience tools. These themes are being explored through high-level panels, technical workshops, and a marketplace showcasing innovative municipal solutions.
Graham Paulse, Head of Department for Local Government, underscored the summit’s action-oriented approach. “This summit is not just a conversation—it’s a commitment to action,” Paulse said. “We are here to identify implementable projects that will make our municipalities safer, smarter, and more responsive.”
Santam’s Head of Strategy and Investor Relations, Thabiso Rulashe, highlighted the importance of partnerships in building resilience. “As South Africa’s leading general insurer, we are committed to closing gaps and supporting practical initiatives,” Rulashe stated, referencing Santam’s Partnership for Risk and Resilience program, which has reached over 29 million people since 2012. “Building resilience is a shared responsibility that requires an all-of-society approach.”
