Cape town: Electricity has been restored to 84% of communities affected by severe weather that damaged parts of the Western Cape earlier this 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.
According to South African Government News Agency, Premier Winde reported on Thursday that the scale of the devastation is immense. Despite this, officials are working diligently to repair damaged infrastructure as quickly as possible. He noted steady progress, highlighting the reopening of the Vredendal Bridge to one-way traffic ahead of schedule and commended those involved 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 several affected areas, including Malmesbury, Klawer Bridge, Vredendal Bridge, Clanwilliam Dam, and others.
The Premier emphasized that electricity restoration remains a key focus for the provincial government, noting that he chairs daily meetings with Eskom Western Cape leadership to monitor progress. Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy Samantha Graham-Mar© has also been attending these meetings 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, with Buffelsjagsrivier 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.
Premier Winde acknowledged the frustrations of residents who have endured extended power outages, apologizing for any inconvenience and promising to keep affected communities informed as updates are received from Eskom and other stakeholders. Despite the devastation, Winde shared stories of hope and collaboration that keep the provincial government moving forward.
Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers commented on the recovery efforts, stating that 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.
