The Community Services and Health Directorate is planning a range of projects over the next 12 months. The top 25 account for approximately 60% of the available budget, with cemetery upgrades leading the charge.
‘This City of Cape Town’s Budget of Hope will enhance access to critical services like homelessness support, recreational spaces, and community libraries, while also ensuring that our parks and public spaces are welcoming and functional for all Cape Town residents,’ said Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
The R45 million cemeteries upgrade project is the single biggest capital project. Cemeteries planned for expansion of burial capacity include Kuils River, Welmoed and Rusthof.
In addition, more detailed technical studies are planned for the development and expansion of Klip Road, Stikland, Hout Bay, Vaalfontein and Tafelsig in Mitchells Plain.
The planned capital spend is part of a five-year plan to increase burial capacity in Cape Town by 100 000 (double burials/reopening of family graves) through the development of new cemeteries and the expansion of existing ones.
An additional R10,7 million will be spent at Maitland Crematorium on the installation of an additional oversized cremator, minor aesthetic improvements to the existing crematorium, mausoleum, parking and other ancillary building elements.
Additional key projects for the Community Services and Health Directorate included in the 2025/26 budget are as follows:
Recreation and Parks
- Strandfontein Pavilion Refurbishment: A R6,8 million upgrade to one of Cape Town’s iconic recreational spaces
- Strandfontein Clubhouse Development: R3 million
- Princessvlei: Construction of Circulatory Trail: R10,2 million in 2025/26
- Active Road and Lower Cross Road Parks: Walking Track: R400 000 and R500 000 respectively
- Lupin Crescent Park Upgrade: R1,5 million
Beaches and Pools
- R6 million to restore swimming pools ensuring that public pools are operationally functional
- Mnandi Beach Upgrade: R4,4 million to improve beach facilities to ensure that Cape Town’s coastal spaces remain safe, clean, and accessible.
- Sea Point Pool Upgrade: R2,4 million, ensuring it remains a top-tier facility for local and international visitors.
- Vulindlela Pool Upgrade – R2 million allocated for the first phase is focused on conceptual planning, which will identify the best design options for the facility
Sports Facilities
- Site C Stadium Upgrade: R500 000.
- R2 million for the installation of synthetic pitches to increase sports participation and provide high-quality facilities for community use.
- Ocean View Baseball Pitch: R1,3 million Enhancing Active Road Park with a new walking track to promote health and fitness in the community.
City Libraries
Libraries too will receive a healthy injection, with more than R12,7 million to be spent on new and replacement books. Other major allocations include:
- R11,8 million on improvements to the department’s IS&T infrastructure and equipment. This includes the replacement of 200 public use computers at libraries.
- Lwandle Community Library: Nearly R12 million is earmarked for the upgrade of the Lwandle Community Library.
- Suiderstand Library: R2,6 million has been allocated to complete the redesign and start the tender process for the reconstruction of the Suiderstand Library.
City Health’s flagship projects for this financial year are upgrades to the Matthew Goniwe and Tafelsig Clinics, totalling R21,4 million, while the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department will invest just over R4 million a piece on the development of a new Safe Space in Kuils River, and the upgrades at Culemborg One Safe Space. Construction of the Kuils River site is set to begin towards the end of May 2026.
‘There are so many exciting projects on the cards, and we will highlight progress as we go along. We want to continue to provide facilities that boost community pride and I encourage everyone to help protect these investments by using them responsibly,’ added Councillor Higham.
