Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
3 July 2025 | 13:00 CAT
2 min read

KwaZulu-Natal has endured significant damage in recent years, from washed-out roads to collapsed bridges, leaving communities vulnerable and frustrated by slow recovery efforts. Now, help is coming from an unexpected source — the Western Cape.

In a rare show of interprovincial collaboration, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at improving disaster response and accelerating infrastructure recovery in the province.

Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, described the agreement as a “historic moment” for both provinces. “Last year, a delegation from KZN visited us to observe our disaster response systems and our ability to implement recovery and repairs at a rapid pace. We took them through our programme, and from that, discussions began,” he said.

What started as a technical exchange has now evolved into a formalised partnership between the provinces, focusing on knowledge sharing, skills development and streamlined service delivery. “So it made sense for both myself and MEC Meyer to ask: how do we formalise this relationship? How do we strengthen the expertise of the Western Cape and also learn from a province like KZN?” Simmers said.

Key areas of collaboration include IT infrastructure integration, support for intergovernmental agreements, and the development of alternative funding models, particularly in the context of public-private partnerships. “One of the key pillars is capacity sharing. KZN needs support in IT infrastructure and integration, and we will also assist through our legal department to unlock critical projects using intergovernmental agreements,” he said.

Simmers noted they are exploring alternative funding models in partnership with the Provincial Treasury. “We believe this can benefit both provinces,” he added.

The Western Cape will also extend access to its longstanding artisan development programme to help meet the shortage of skilled workers in KZN. “We have had our own artisan plan for over a decade, focused on key skill sets and developing engineers. We will be giving KZN access to these programmes to develop further artisans based on sector needs,” he explained.

Simmers added that the partnership includes cooperation in supply chain management, enterprise risk management, finance, and infrastructure security, all aimed at improving disaster response and ensuring cost-effective delivery.

Reflecting on the broader impact, Simmers said this collaboration could serve as a model for other provinces, especially during politically charged times. “As much as we differ in our political landscape and governance structures, we are all citizens of this country. This partnership shows that provinces can work smarter, not against each other and that more than one province can be a success,” he said.

This initiative not only aims to bring practical help to flood-affected communities but could also serve as a blueprint for broader interprovincial cooperation across South Africa.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and MEC Tertuis Simmers, Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, here.