Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy was born from the city’s experience with an unprecedented drought, the most severe in its recorded history. Over three years, drastically reduced rainfall, exacerbated by climate change, pushed Cape Town to the brink of running out of water. This crisis tested our city’s endurance and adaptability. Thanks to the remarkable efforts of residents and businesses to reduce water consumption, Day Zero was averted. This collective action highlighted the resilience and solidarity of the Cape Town community.
Our Resilience Strategy provides a roadmap for Cape Town’s future, addressing the challenges posed by both sudden shocks and ongoing stresses. These include the enduring effects of apartheid, such as high inequality and spatial divides, as well as the looming threats of climate change, including increased temperatures and reduced rainfall. Cape Town’s strategy focuses not only on immediate survival but also on long-term adaptation and thriving in the face of these challenges.
Economic Strength and Growth
Cape Town is the economic heart of the Western Cape and the second-largest contributor to national employment among South African cities. We are proud to consistently outperform national growth. Cape Town has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of recent global economic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Our city is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty and eclectic tourism industry, attracting visitors from around the world and receiving numerous international accolades.
Key Economic Indicators for Cape Town:
- Population (2022): 4,756,255
- Regional GDP (GDP-R): R659.9 billion
- Inflation (2022 average for Western Cape): 6.6%
Source: Statistics South Africa, Regional eXplorer, Quantec, FDI Intelligence, 2023
Comparative Analysis of Cape Town and Other South African Cities:
Understanding Resilience
Resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems within a city to survive, adapt, and thrive in the face of chronic stresses and acute shocks.
Chronic Stresses
These are ongoing challenges that weaken the fabric of a city, such as high unemployment, inadequate public transport, endemic violence, food insecurity, and substance abuse.
Acute Shocks
These are sudden, disruptive events that test a city’s ability to cope, such as droughts, fires, floods, disease outbreaks, and infrastructure failures.
A Shared Commitment to Resilience
We invite all spheres of government, businesses, academia, and community-based organisations to join us in building a more resilient Cape Town. By working together, we can strengthen our capacity to understand and manage vulnerabilities, interdependencies, and risks for everyone in our city.
How Organisations Can Contribute:
- Assess risks:
Investigate and understand how shocks and stresses create risks for your organisation - Engage with communities:
Collaborate with impacted communities to build shared resilience - Define your role:
Clarify your organisation’s role in building a more resilient Cape Town - Build capacity:
Participate in training and capacity-building programmes focused on resilience - Take action:
Develop and implement action plans to address vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience - Invest in resilience:
Support initiatives that enhance the resilience of Cape Town and its residents
Building a Resilient Cape Town
Cape Town’s Inclusion in the 100 Resilient Cities Network:
In May 2016, Cape Town was selected to join the 100 Resilient Cities network, pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation. This network provides cities with technical assistance, access to global services, opportunities to exchange experiences, and tools for building resilience.
Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future:
The 2019 Cape Town Resilience Strategy emphasises partnerships and collective action. We believe that by working together, government, businesses, communities, and households can overcome challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. This collaborative approach was instrumental in our response to recent droughts, where collective water conservation efforts helped us avoid Day Zero.
Addressing Health and Social Cohesion:
The health and well-being of Capetonians are essential for building resilience. We are committed to improving mental health, combating discrimination, and building social cohesion. A strong social fabric enables us to work together to respond to shocks and overcome chronic stresses.
By focusing on resilience and sustainability, Cape Town is building a robust and vibrant future for all its residents and stakeholders. We are committed to thriving in the face of challenges, ensuring a prosperous and inclusive city for generations to come.
To learn more about Cape Town’s resilience efforts, explore the following resources:
- GreenCape Resilience Report – Skills 1
- GreenCape Resilience Report – Skills 2
- GreenCape Resilience Report – Textiles
- GreenCape Resilience Report – Wood
- GreenCape Resilience Report – COVID-19 Case Study
- GreenCape Infographics – Cape Town’s Green Sectors
