Today’s budget speech to be tabled by the finance minister, Malusi Gigaba, is expected to touch on the drought affecting the country, with the focal point on three provinces, the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and the Northern Cape.

The drought has been elevated to a national disaster and the speed of the reaction to the disaster has been questioned. In Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape, the business community is concerned about the possiblity of a day zero. And job retrenchements and business closures are becoming a real fear for those in the city.

The water issue is not only an economic issue, but also a political issue especially as to how it will be addressed. Our reporter Iviwe Poti has more for us on this, she joins us live from Port Elizabeth.

Source: SABC Digital News