The City of Cape Town has strengthened community-led water protection efforts, awarding funding to local Catchment Management Forums working to reduce pollution and restore waterways.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate hosted its second Annual Catchment Management Forum (CMF) Review, bringing together civil society leaders, environmental stakeholders and municipal officials to assess progress, share lessons and expand collaboration.
The engagement created space for practical dialogue around improving water quality, reducing flood risks and strengthening ecosystem resilience across urban catchments. Ten CMFs are currently active across the metro, providing structured platforms where residents, non-government stakeholders and service delivery departments work collectively on catchment management challenges.
During the review, grant funding totalling R622 000 was allocated to four CMFs to support targeted environmental interventions.
The Eerste Kuils CMF will focus on canal and river clean-ups within its catchment area. The Soet River CMF will implement a litter storage cage, deploy river wardens and advance a revegetation initiative aimed at improving biodiversity and reducing waste accumulation.
Zandvlei CMF will undertake restoration and management work along the Westlake River and tributaries in Orchard Village and Lakeside, while the Zeekoe CMF will roll out a solid waste reduction programme along the Big Lotus River corridor between Duinefontein Road and Jakes Gerwel Drive.
Success stories were also highlighted at the event. Soet River CMF Chairperson Dave Walker reflected on efforts to address chronic pollution within his catchment, while Zeekoe CMF Chairperson Dr Liz Day shared insights into building collaborative partnerships across stakeholders.
The CMF structure is designed to empower communities to participate directly in environmental protection while encouraging multi-stakeholder solutions tailored to the pressures facing each catchment.
‘These CMFs play a vital role in supporting integrated catchment management at a local level. They help tackle complex challenges around water quality, flooding, recreation and ecosystem health.
‘Each catchment faces its own pressures, but with the support of established CMFs, we believe practical, workable solutions are possible. We encourage residents to get involved in their local CMFs and be part of improving their environments,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
