Disaster Awareness Campaign Reaches More Than 10,000 Learners in the Cape Winelands

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More than 10,150 learners at 10 isiXhosa-speaking schools have been reached through the 2026/2027 Disaster Awareness Campaign Roadshow, an initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical knowledge to better understand and respond to disaster risks.

The campaign is being implemented by the Western Cape Department of Local Government, through the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre, in collaboration with the Cape Winelands District Municipality Disaster Management Centre and Santam Ltd (Pty) Ltd.

Now in its second year, the campaign uses isiXhosa actors, local dialects and interactive performances to deliver disaster awareness messages in a language that learners understand. This forms part of a two-phase approach, with the first phase focusing on isiXhosa-speaking schools, followed by a second phase targeting English- and Afrikaans-speaking schools.

Through the roadshow, learners are taught practical skills including how to identify risks and dangers, what emergency numbers to use and what information to provide when calling for assistance, household disaster preparedness dos and don’ts, and the importance of understanding and adhering to early warnings.

The value of the approach is reflected in the strong retention of the messages by learners who participated in the programme previously. At Lingomso Primary School in Tulbagh, learners from Nduli Primary School in Ceres, which was visited during last year’s campaign, were invited to participate in the performance. Their ability to lead the play and recall the messages demonstrated the lasting learning impact of the programme.

Several schools, including Imboniselo Primary School and P.J.B. Cona Primary School, have also requested return visits for Grade 6 and 7 learners. Teachers have highlighted the programme’s relevance to Dramatic Arts and Culture, as well as its contribution to Life Orientation, Life Skills and mathematical literacy.

The campaign demonstrates the importance of using accessible language, practical learning and performance to strengthen disaster preparedness among young people and help ensure that vital safety messages are remembered and applied in homes and communities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Office of the Premier.