Cape town: The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has officially launched South Africa’s Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Roadmap to enhance the country’s disaster risk reduction efforts. The launch took place during the Group of 20 (G20) Disaster Risk Reduction Ministerial Meeting, held in Cape Town on Sunday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the EW4All initiative aims to ensure that every person in South Africa and across the African continent has access to life-saving early warning systems by 2027. Addressing the delegates, Hlabisa emphasized that the roadmap is a testament to the nation’s commitment to enhancing disaster risk reduction and climate resilience through innovation, technology, and data-driven solutions.
Hlabisa highlighted that the roadmap is not just a technical achievement but a symbol of national resolve. He stated, “Through this roadmap, South Africa demonstrates its readiness to innovate by using advanced technologies and data analytics to enable proactive responses to environmental risks and natural disasters. It reflects our determination to build a future where early warning systems are seamlessly integrated into disaster management practices, ultimately contributing to a safer and more resilient world for all.”
Reflecting on the G20 Presidency principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, Hlabisa noted the importance of collaboration and inclusivity, emphasizing that disasters do not respect borders. He stated, “Solidarity calls for international cooperation and shared knowledge. Equality demands that we confront structural disparities that make some communities more vulnerable than others. Sustainability reminds us that resilience is not only about surviving the next disaster but about safeguarding future generations. No community, urban or rural, formal or informal, should be left behind.”
Hlabisa acknowledged the significant progress made under previous G20 Presidencies, including India’s leadership in establishing the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRR WG) and Brazil’s emphasis on climate justice, inclusivity, and equitable financing. South Africa aims to build on this foundation by ensuring that Africa’s unique voices and challenges are effectively represented within the G20 framework.
The Minister underscored the urgency of early warning systems by citing South Africa’s experiences with devastating floods. “The floods in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022, which claimed over 500 lives, and the Eastern Cape floods two months later, which claimed more than 100 lives, are painful reminders of why this initiative matters. The launch of the EW4All Roadmap today is our coordinated response to such tragedies, a commitment to achieving universal early warning coverage by 2027,” he said.
Hlabisa expressed gratitude to fellow G20 Ministers; members of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, led by Chairperson Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo; the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Narend Singh; as well as development partners, knowledge institutions, and delegates from around the world who gathered to witness this milestone. “Together, we aspire to foster sustainable development and create pathways for shared prosperity,” he added.
The Minister concluded by outlining a clear roadmap for the next 12 months, including the establishment of the G20 DRR WG Continuity Taskforce, co-chaired by South Africa, India, and Brazil, with the United Nations (UN) Disaster Risk Reduction acting as the Secretariat. Other initiatives include hosting the G20 Resilience Financing Dialogue in Durban in 2026, developing a local resilience toolkit in partnership with Singapore, Norway, and the African Development Bank (AfDB), and piloting the Recovery Readiness Framework in three South African municipalities.
The Minister further called on all partners to continue working in unity and purpose. “The journey before us is not without challenges, but it is filled with opportunities for progress and transformation. Together, let us uphold the spirit of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, building a resilient Africa and a safer world for all. Filled with immense pride and responsibility, I am honoured to launch South Africa’s Early Warnings for All Roadmap officially,” he said.