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Kruger National Park celebrates 100 years

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Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has called on South Africans to embrace their shared responsibility as custodians of the Kruger National Park (KNP).

The Minister delivered remarks at the KNP Centenary Commemoration held at the park’s Skukuza Rest Camp in Mpumalanga.

Aucamp reflected on the recent flooding that affected the park.

“What these floods taught us is the resilience of the Kruger family. Over 100 years, lots of successes, lots of failures, lots of hardships [and] lots of triumphs. But we’ve always come through and we will do that for 100s of years to come.

“Our responsibility is to raise this generation…so that they can accept this stewardship and can take this pattern and go forward. So that our grandchildren, our great grandchildren and theirs will still be able – in 100 to 200 years’ time from now – to sit alongside the Sabie River, to watch a herd of elephants going through this Sabie River, to listen to the roar of a lion at night, to play a game in the car [and] see who is the best of the siblings. I hope that that legacy can continue,” Aucamp said.

The Minister committed that the KNP will not only endure but also claim its place as the world’s leading conservation destination.

“This event calls not only for reflection and celebration but it also demands clarity. Clarity about where we come from and where we are going.

“The Kruger National Park stands today as one of the most recognised conservation landscapes in the world,” he urged.

Aucump acknowledged the park’s pioneers and workers for their contribution to its establishment and continued existence.

“The Kruger National Park reflects foresight at a time when such foresight was rare. It reflects decades of scientific progress, of institutional commitment and the sustained efforts of generations. We are clear that the future of conservation in South Africa lies with inclusive stewardship, a responsibility that we all have got to take on.

“I realise that we are walking in the footsteps of giants. We truly are. Their vision, their perseverance and their deeper abiding love for nature gave us the Kruger National Park.

“They dreamt beyond their time of a landscape where elephants roam, where lions rule, and where the ancient rhythms of the wild echo through the bush for generations to come. As a united people, that legacy now rests in our hands,” the Minister said.

Public warned not to eat wild shellfish from Saldanha Bay

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has warned the public not to collect or eat any wild shellfish from Saldanha Bay and nearby coastal areas until further notice.

According to a recent monitoring report, mussels and oysters from Saldanha Bay farms contained very high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PST) — more than 15 times the legal safety limit.

Officials also detected high levels of the toxin-producing phytoplankton Alexandrium catenella, a sign of a serious harmful algal bloom.

As a result, harvesting areas in Saldanha Bay have been closed for shellfish meant for human consumption.

It is not yet clear how far the risk extends along the West Coast, and toxin levels may differ from one area to another.
Eating contaminated shellfish, such as mussels, can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning — a serious illness that can be life-threatening.

The public is strongly advised not to harvest or eat any wild shellfish from Saldanha Bay and surrounding coastal areas until further notice.

Over 80% Western Cape storm-affected communities reconnected

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Electricity has been restored to 84% of communities affected by severe weather that damaged parts of the Western Cape last month.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde concluded a four-day assessment of some of the province’s hardest-hit areas this week.

The assessment covered extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges and farming communities across the West Coast, Cape Winelands, Overberg, and Garden Route Districts.

“The scale of the devastation is immense. Despite this, our officials are hard at work repairing damaged infrastructure as quickly as possible,” Winde reported on Thursday.

The Premier noted that steady progress has been made, highlighting the reopening of the Vredendal Bridge to one-way traffic ahead of schedule.

He commended those involved in this project, and the many others currently underway across the province, for their commitment and hard work.

During the assessment visits, Winde was joined by several provincial MECs, including disaster management officials, mayors, municipal managers, and representatives from NGOs.

The delegation visited Malmesbury, Klawer Bridge, Vredendal Bridge, Clanwilliam Dam, Citrusdal, Algeria, Piketberg, Gouda, Op-Die-Berg, Ceres, Rawsonville, Worcester, McGregor Bridge and Red Bridge.

The Premier said electricity restoration remains a key focus for the provincial government, noting that he chairs daily meetings with Eskom Western Cape leadership to monitor progress.

He reported that Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy Samantha Graham-Maré has also attended the daily briefings and assured the province of regular public updates.

According to Eskom’s latest estimates released on 28 May 2026, several affected areas are expected to be reconnected over the coming weeks.

In the Cape Winelands, power restoration is expected by 29 May for Hexrivier and Villiersdorp, while Chavonnes farms and Badsberg farms are expected to be restored by 5 June.

Boskloof and Romansrivier are expected to be restored by 26 June.

In the Garden Route, Gouna is expected to be restored by 31 May, while Herbertsdale and Jakkeslvlei are scheduled for 10 June.

Areas including Askop, Buffelsnek, Brackenhill, Fisanthoek, Harkerville and Klein Bavaria are expected to be restored by 25 June, while Garden of Eden is expected to be restored by 25 July.

In the Overberg, the utility estimated that Hemel-en-Aarde, Riviersonderend farms, Papiesvlei and Stanford farms will be restored by 29 May, while Buffelsjagsrivier is expected by 5 June.

On the West Coast, Algeria, Citrusdal farms and Du Pont are expected to be restored by 5 June, while Noordhoek farms are estimated for 12 June.

"We fully appreciate and understand the frustrations of residents who have had to endure extended periods of power outages. We apologise for any inconvenience and will always endeavour to keep affected communities abreast of developments as we receive updates from Eskom and other stakeholders. We know that this is a frustrating and unbearable situation," Winde said.

While the devastation is vast, Winde said stories of hope and collaboration keep the provincial government moving forward.

"I met with several of our healthcare workers in the Op-Die-Berg area who were left stranded by the heavy rain and flooding.

“Officials at a local school, Skurweberg Senior Secondary, thought nothing of giving them shelter and food, as they waited for the worst of the weather to pass.

“I am also blown away by how residents, business owners and farmers have stepped in to help. Whether it is offering equipment to assist Eskom teams or feeding disaster management officials and those most in need, this is what makes the Western Cape the extraordinary region that it is,” the Premier said.

Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers said recovery teams are working around the clock to meet critical targets.

“Our absolute priority remains safely reconnecting communities, and we are pushing hard to meet critical targets. The McGregor Bridge will be repaired by early June as rock fill and asphalt layers wrap up,” Simmers said.

He added that structural assessments are underway at the Klawer Bridge to confirm a temporary pedestrian access date by 29 May, while slope stabilisation work on the Cango Caves Road is progressing well, with debris clearance targeted for 5 June, before final safety checks.

Tourism in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo remains resilient and continues efforts to achieve sustainable growth

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The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) through its regional tourism office hosted a two-day Garden Route and Klein Karoo Regional Tourism Industry Workshop in the towns of George and Oudtshoorn, on 26-27 May 2026. During these workshops, various stakeholders engaged in an information-sharing session about the status quo of the tourism sector.

This engagement was in partnerships with the National Department of Tourism, South African Tourism, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, and attended by various tourism businesses and industry stakeholder across the region such as SANPARKS, CapeNature, Wesgro, Local Tourism Offices, established and emerging business enterprises, and the hospitality industry.

The Executive Mayor, Alderman Marais Kruger welcomed everyone present under the theme “Unlocking Opportunities, Support & Benefits Across Key Tourism Institutions” reflecting our collective commitment to strengthening tourism growth, collaboration, and sustainable development across the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region.

These industry leading voices dissected a myriad of areas that requires improvement and highlighted opportunities across the entire tourism value chain. If this is realised, it could potentially open pathways for increased collaboration – a shared commitment to grow the region’s tourism industry.

South African Tourism representative responsible for stakeholder relations, Tony Nkadimeng, acknowledged that although the Garden Route had experienced natural disasters such as fires and the recent floods, the tourism industry remained resilient despite these challenges. “Regardless of these challenges, we are encouraged to see that the industry is still thriving,” he said.

Capitalising on its recognition as the best scenic route, the Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism Regional Office, together with the stakeholders at workshops, explored existing opportunities for the region to entrench its brand equity among both domestic and international travellers.

Dealing with matters pertinent to the Sector, the discussions centred around strengthening tourism marketing initiatives, promoting sports tourism such as golfing, supporting small businesses, especially women-led enterprises and positioning the Garden Route and Klein Karoo as the preferred tourism destination.

Chief Director-Enterprise Development & Transformation from the National Department of Tourism, Sbonelo Nzimande, said: “We have made a concerted effort in supporting women-led businesses, digitising services offered by small businesses and enabling transactions for operators in the rural areas as well”. Nzimande added that Micro-, Small and Medium Enterprises needed to embrace research, technology, innovation and creativity to move the needle in the trajectory of their entrepreneurship endeavours.

Smalls businesses were also encouraged to apply for grading through the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.

Hospitality businesses called for strategic coordination from the GRDM to ensure the sector becomes more attractive to investment. Funding and compliance were cited as the biggest stumbling blocks for entrepreneurs who emphasised the need to bridge the gap in the dissemination of information and mentorship.

Tourism, LED and EPWP Manager at the GRDM, Richard Dyantyi, recognised small businesses and various stakeholders for their contributions in the region and how these efforts made a tangible difference to the tourism landscape.

“This engagement will not be another talk-shop. I will ensure that the GRDM management and political leadership reflect on the issues raised at this platform so that when we meet again, I will be able to report back on what we have done from our side,” he said.

Photo: Presenters of the day representing the GRDM and various key stakeholders after an insightful engagement at the George leg of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism Industry Workshop held at the George Civic Centre.

Western Cape SAPS reports encouraging decline in serious violent crime during fourth quarter

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Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen (Adv.) Thembisile Patekile, joined by the MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Ms Anroux Marais this week released the fourth quarter crime statistics for the 2025/2026 financial year at the Provincial Police Head Office in Green Point.

The latest statistics for January to March 2026 reflect encouraging reductions in key crime categories compared to the same period last year:

* Murder decreased by 8%
* Attempted murder decreased by 10.3%
* Contact crime decreased by 6.5%

While these reductions are welcomed, SAPS management reiterated that violence in communities across the Western Cape remains unacceptably high. Ongoing policing interventions continue to focus on gang-related violence, retaliation attacks, robbery-related crime, firearm-related offences and violence in certain areas.

The Western Cape SAPS remains committed to intensifying crime-fighting operations, strengthening partnerships and enhancing visibility to create safer communities.

SARB raises repo rate to 7%

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The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%, effective from 29 May 2026.

SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said four MPC members supported the increase, while two preferred to keep the rate unchanged.

At a media briefing on Thursday, Kganyago said the committee acted because inflation risks had intensified and overlapping shocks could trigger second-round effects.

He explained that the decision was meant to manage those risks and help bring inflation back to target.

At this meeting, the MPC considered three main risk scenarios.

The first was a prolonged Middle East conflict, which could push up oil and food prices and weaken the rand.

The second was the possible emergence of El Niño, a weather pattern that often brings drought to parts of South Africa.

The third scenario considered non-linear effects, meaning large shocks could have an outsized impact on inflation as more costs are passed on to consumers.

Kganyago said all three scenarios pointed to higher inflation and weaker economic growth.

“The scenario with a longer Strait closure has inflation at about 5%, with two more hikes than the baseline. With El Niño added, rates stay high for longer. The most adverse scenario puts all the risks together, causing inflation to peak above 6%, requiring three extra hikes,” Kganyago said.

He said these scenarios highlighted the role of food and fuel in transmitting geopolitical shocks and showed the added risks posed by a severe El Niño.

The MPC has also raised its oil price assumptions and now expects renewed pressure on food prices, with the agricultural sector facing higher diesel and fertiliser costs.

“Looking forward, we have raised our oil price assumptions. In addition, we see renewed pressure on food prices, with the agricultural sector facing higher costs for both diesel and fertiliser. Our forecast now has headline inflation averaging 4.4% this year and 3.7% next year, before returning to the 3% target in 2028. Core inflation is also higher, peaking early next year,” he said.

Recent inflation data also reflected mounting price pressures

In April, consumer inflation rose to 4%, up from 3.1% in the previous month, mainly because of higher energy costs.

Kganyago said fuel prices, after falling by 8.7% in March, increased by 11.4% in April, making it one of the biggest jumps in fuel inflation on record.

Services inflation also accelerated to 4.6%, well above the bank’s 3% target.

He said this was partly due to transport costs, but also reflected broader price pressures in areas such as insurance and financial services.

Tourism Minister welcomes increase in tourist arrivals

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Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has welcomed the increase in international tourism arrivals in the month of April 2026 which is the highest increase the country has seen since the start of the year.

“This is our highest monthly year-on-year increase since the start of the year. This means that despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has led to global flight disruptions and ticket fare price increases South Africa has not only defended its markets but has also grown in some regions, “Minister de Lille said on Wednesday.

According to Statics South Africa’s monthly International Tourism Report, which was released on Wednesday, the month of April recorded 989 329 tourist arrivals marking a 19.5% increase when compared to the same period last year.

Inbound travel from Singapore increased by 70.5% (938 arrivals) in April 2026 while arrivals from Brazil increased by 37.5% (5 953 arrivals).

The total number of arrivals from January 2026 to April 2026 increased by 14.1% year-on-year, to 3 899 358. This is an additional 482 935 increase in international arrivals when compared to Jan-April 2025.

The Minister said that in July Brazilian carrier LATAM airline will launch three weekly direct flights between São Paulo and Cape Town.

“The airline was initially scheduled to launch these flights in September but has brough the date forward due to increased demand. Meanwhile, on 24 June 2026 Spanish carrier, Air Europa will launch its inaugural direct flight between Madrid and Johannesburg,” said the Minister.

According to the report, overseas tourists constituted 18.4% (181 796) of all tourists.

IEC officially launches the 2026 Local Government Elections campaign

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The Electoral Commission has officially launched the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE), marking the commencement of the mass awareness campaign towards Election Day in November.

This is after President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa’s upcoming Local Government Elections.

Wednesday’s launch set the stage for political parties and voters to begin preparations for the polls with the Commission to rollout a national campaign across multiple platforms, including television, radio, digital, and social media, to ensure broad reach and accessibility.

Speaking at the launch held in Midrand, near Johannesburg, the Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the Electoral Commission has successfully delivered five LGEs, each marking a significant milestone in the evolution of local democracy and the consolidation of municipalities as theatres of civic engagement.

“As the 6th instalment, the 2026 Local Government Elections take place amid notable changes in domestic and global political landscapes. The announcement of the 4 November 2026 election date by His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has provided the Electoral Commission and all stakeholders with clarity and certainty for planning,” Mamabolo said.

Mamabolo said the launch is a practical manifestation of that certainty and an assurance that plans are firmly in the execution phase for delivering an election that meets the standard envisioned in the Constitution.

On 1 April 2026, the Commission unveiled the elections logo and media campaign under the tagline, “Get Up, Show Up, Vote.”

This powerful call to action is aimed at motivating all eligible voters, particularly young people to actively participate in the electoral process.

According to Mamabolo, Wednesday’s launch marks the beginning of intensified public awareness ahead of the national voter registration weekend on 20 and 21 June 2026.
Just under 24 000 registration stations across 4 488 municipal wards will open over the two days to enable citizens to register, verify their personal details and ensure correct registration.

“Preparations are well advanced, with the Department of Home Affairs ensuring that offices will be open nationwide to facilitate citizens’ applications for identity documents, which are a prerequisite for voter registration.

“The Commission has deployed over 800 Municipal Outreach Coordinators, including persons with disabilities, across the country to drive voter education and awareness, reinforcing inclusive participation ahead of the elections.”

Mamabolo said since the beginning of 2026, more than 62,336 community events have been conducted nationwide, strengthening sustained voter education and public engagement adding that a targeted door-to-door voter communication and registration campaign has been completed across 99% of municipalities (212 out of 214) between 11 and 24 May 2026.

“This campaign informed citizens of recent Municipal Demarcation Board changes to certain ward boundaries and the consequential revision of some voting districts. The Commission thanks the Board for its cooperation in completing the ward delimitation process and handing over final ward boundaries.

“The Commission’s voter education and registration programmes continue to yield strong results. The Tertiary Institutions Campaign has reached 97 894 students across 1086 activations in all nine provinces, with 45 757 students successfully registered – demonstrating its impact in promoting youth participation.

“The Schools Democracy Programme, implemented in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, continues to build awareness by educating learners on democratic principles and electoral processes, while encouraging eligible learners aged 16 and older to pre-register,” he said.

Draft code of conduct
With regard to combating disinformation, Mamabolo said the Electoral Commission recognises that the pervasive use of social media is a double-edged sword.

“The Commission has previously mitigated disinformation through, among others, collaboration with civil society and the use of the Real411 platform for flagging and reporting misleading content. This work has been strengthened through policy development.

Guided by the Constitution and other relevant prescripts, the Commission will issue a draft Code of Conduct on Misinformation for public comment. The draft seeks to embed safeguards against fraudulent and manipulated content to preserve information integrity during the elections,” he said.

Online registrations
The Commission said the online registration portal has improved the accuracy and stability of the voters’ roll by enabling real-time updates and offsetting losses due to mortality. Between January and May 2026, 376,140 new registrations were recorded, reflecting strong uptake - particularly among young voters.

The total number of registered voters currently stands at 27,912,415, exceeding the figures recorded at the time of the 2024 general elections.

Mamabolo said the achievement comes despite an average monthly loss of 34 000 voters due to mortality.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Inkosi Velenkosini Hlabisa said he is confident that the number of registered young people will increase.

“I am confident that this time we are going to have more young people registering to vote and taking part in the elections,” he said.

In a bid to encourage young people to participate the elections, the Commission has introduced a youth-focused series, “Beats for My Peeps,” in partnership with the SABC.

The programme uses music, culture, and digital creators to address voter apathy, dispel misinformation, and promote participation.

It will air on SABC1 at 6pm from 3 June 2026. Meanwhile, the IEC Podcast launched in April 2026 and provides accessible, real-time information via mobile and digital platforms.

How can citizens register
Get your identity document ready and register or check your address details online at: registertovote.elections.org.za
Find your correct voting station to visit on the registration weekend at maps.elections.org.za/vsfinder
Visit your local Electoral Commission offices on weekdays between 8am and 5pm.

Construction begins on Eskom’s R1.2 billion 75MW solar power plant

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Eskom has broken ground on a new R1.2 billion 75MW solar power plant to be based at the Lethabo Power Station in the Free State, marking a major step in integrating renewable generation within the power utility’s coal-fired power station-heavy fleet.

“Once completed, the plant is expected to generate approximately 147GWh of electricity annually, supplying power to an estimated 60,000 households. In addition to its energy contribution, the project will create vital local economic opportunities and contribute significantly to skills development during both the construction and operational phases,” Eskom said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the start of construction, Eskom’s Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, noted that the much-improved performance of the coal-fired fleet is setting a platform to phase in renewable energy.

“Last week we celebrated 365 days without loadshedding, as a result of the focused delivery over the past three years of the generation recovery plan by our skilled employees.

“Now that we have delivered a stable electricity platform for the South African economy to grow from, we can seamlessly enable the integration of renewable energy sources as required by the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan [IRP] to maintain future energy security.

“We are playing our part in bringing online the new generation capacity required by focusing on the deep technical and institutional capability of our employees, built over decades of public investment, that remains a critical part of our national capacity towards delivering cleaner sources of energy,” Marokane said.

Eskom’s Group Executive for Renewables, Rivoningo Mnisi, described the solar power plant as “a significant milestone” in the power utility’s renewable energy pipeline and forms part of the “broader strategy to diversify the generation mix, support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition objectives and provide customers with lower carbon electricity”.

“By leveraging existing power station infrastructure, this project demonstrates the practical integration of renewable energy technology within our existing coal-fired power station fleet infrastructure and signals Eskom’s continued commitment to strengthening security of supply while transitioning toward a lower-carbon future,” Mnisi said.

Investing in renewable energy

According to Eskom, the solar power plant is one of 17 high‑priority projects expected to be implemented across the electricity supplier’s existing coal‑fired power station footprint.

Construction on these is expected to kick off between now and 2028, with those projects representing 6GW of new capacity by the end of the decade.

“These developments will be strategically located at power stations including Arnot, Duvha, Majuba, Tutuka, Lethabo, Komati, Kendal, Kusile, Hendrina, Camden and Grootvlei, leveraging existing infrastructure to accelerate deployment, reduce costs and strengthen grid resilience.

“The Lethabo project also forms part of Eskom’s construction‑ready pipeline of at least 2GW of renewable energy and pumped storage projects progressing during 2026.

“Funding for these projects has been provisioned within Eskom’s approved capital expenditure program and will be financed through on‑balance sheet funding, in line with National Treasury debt relief conditions, without reliance on additional project finance borrowing,” Eskom explained.

Eskom Green will also adopt a “proactive growth strategy that extends beyond Eskom-owned land and existing decommissioning sites”.

“While these anchor projects provide a critical foundation, Eskom Green’s long-term value creation requires expanding into new geographic and technological opportunities.

“To this end, Eskom Green will actively pursue partnerships, co-development opportunities and strategic acquisitions of advanced-stage development projects and operating renewable assets located in high-resource areas with superior wind and solar irradiation,” the power utility said.

This will enable Eskom to “optimise its generation portfolio, diversify its revenue base, and ensure alignment with customer load profiles” by balancing technological advancements like pumped-storage, wind, PV, BESS and other alternatives such as green hydrogen.

“Eskom Green will provide a fit-for-purpose structure to facilitate utility-scale renewables through public-private partnerships, leveraging Eskom’s existing footprint and system knowledge.

“The proposed funding framework ensures limited recourse to the Eskom balance sheet using project finance principles for the renewable energy projects through dedicated project Special Purpose Vehicles.

“This will lead to the advancement of Eskom’s pipeline of more than 32GW of cost-competitive renewable energy and storage projects by 2040 to diversify its energy mix as part of the emissions reduction strategy and enable customers to decarbonise over the life of their operations,” Eskom concluded.

Ceres records the highest 24-hour rainfall since 1955

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that exceptionally high rainfall totals have been recorded at the Ceres Automatic Weather Station (AWS), highlighting a notably active start to the winter rainfall season over parts of the south-western interior in the Western Cape.

“Climatologically, May marks the transition into the Western Cape winter rainfall season. However, the magnitude of rainfall observed during May 2026 was significantly above normal,” the weather service said on Tuesday.

Rainfall observations extracted on 22 May 2026 indicate that the Ceres AWS has already accumulated a monthly total of 507,0 mm for May to date.

“This amount far exceeds rainfall totals recorded during the preceding months of 2026. The most significant rainfall event occurred between 10 and 12 May 2026, when two persistent and intense cold fronts affected Ceres and much of the Western Cape,” SAWS said.

During these three days, the station recorded 69,4 mm on 10 May, an exceptional 333,2 mm on 11 May and 75,6 mm on 12 May.
According to the weather service, the May 2026 rainfall total recorded at the Ceres AWS was exceptionally high when compared to the station’s long-term climatological monthly averages.

The station recorded 507,0 mm during May 2026 (to date), while the long-term average rainfall for May is approximately 80,4 mm.

This means that rainfall during May 2026 was more than six times the average monthly rainfall normally expected for this time of year.

The rainfall total also exceeded the climatological monthly averages for the peak winter rainfall months, including the June average of 245,2 mm, the July average of 182,0 mm and the August average of 120,0 mm.

While the substantial rainfall contributed positively to dam levels, groundwater recharge, river flows, and agricultural water availability, the excessive rainfall over this short period had adverse impacts on communities.

“Much of the impact associated with these extraordinary rainfall amounts was experienced across the Witzenberg, Breede Valley and Langeberg Municipalities, largely due to the Breede River catchment system originating in the Skurweberg Mountains near Ceres.

“The river flows through Mitchell’s Pass into the Breede River Valley and continues through major agricultural and wine-producing towns such as Worcester, Robertson and Swellendam before reaching the Indian Ocean at its estuary in Witsand. As a result, heavy runoff and rising river levels contributed to widespread impacts across parts of the catchment,” SAWS said.