SATI Calls for Continued Support for Flood-Affected Communities
[3 June 2026, Paarl] – The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) has welcomed the Western Cape Government’s ongoing efforts to respond to damage caused by the severe storms and flooding that caused billions of rands in damage and left many farming communities, farm workers and producers across the province facing significant recovery challenges.
The flooding event, which caused extensive damage across the Berg River, Hex River and Olifants River table grape regions, has been formally classified as a provincial disaster.
The Western Cape produces 60% of South Africa’s table grape crop. The three regions located in this province employ approximately 58,000 of the estimated 105,000 permanent and seasonal workers supported by the table grape industry nationally.
While damage assessments remain ongoing, the impact of the floods extends beyond farming operations and agricultural infrastructure. Across parts of the Hex River Valley, Olifants River region and other affected areas, farm worker housing and community infrastructure have been damaged. In some instances, residents have lost their homes along with household possessions.
“While considerable attention has understandably focused on damage to farming infrastructure, we must not lose sight of the impact on the people who live and work in these communities,” said Mecia Petersen, CEO of SATI.
“Many families have suffered significant losses and continue to require support as they rebuild their homes and livelihoods.”
SATI has welcomed the coordinated disaster response activated by the Western Cape Government, involving the Departments of Agriculture, Disaster Management, Social Development, Roads and Infrastructure, municipalities and other stakeholders. Among the measures implemented are a dedicated storm damage reporting system, ongoing damage assessments, site visits by provincial and national government representatives, and mechanisms to ensure that requests for urgent humanitarian assistance are rapidly escalated to the relevant authorities.
SATI believes the recent floods also highlight the growing need for long-term planning and climate resilience measures. “Climate variability and extreme weather events are becoming a reality for agriculture and rural communities alike,” Petersen said. “As recovery efforts continue, it is important that lessons from these events inform future planning around infrastructure, housing and disaster preparedness, as well as the reinforcement of riverbanks in areas with high flood risk, to reduce vulnerability to similar events in future.”
SATI continues to engage closely with government, commodity organisations and local stakeholders to ensure that the needs of affected producers, farm workers and communities remain visible throughout the disaster relief and recovery process.
Individuals, businesses and organisations that can support relief initiatives aimed at providing affected families with essential household items such as food, clothing, toiletries, bedding, household appliances and other necessities are encouraged to get in touch with SATI’s Transformation Manager, Wilton September, at Wilton@satgi.co.za.
ISSUED BY SATI
Enquiries:
Denene Erasmus
Market Development and Communications Manager
+2721 863 0366
About SATI
SATI is the unified South African Table Grape Industry Association. All table grape producers are required to register with SATI, which is mandated by law as the industry’s official levy administrator. The levy is required to fund and facilitate market access and development, research and technology, information provision, transformation, and training. SATI is dedicated to operating a partnership that strives to maintain South Africa’s position as the preferred country of origin for retailers around the world. Contact: info@satgi.co.za