The City of Cape Town is proud to support the Catchment Management Forums (CMFs) and is working towards protecting the rivers and urban waterways. At the recent Annual CMF Review, they awarded R622,000 in grant funding to four vital CMFs: Eerste Kuils, Soet River, Zandvlei, and Zeekoe. These funds will support important initiatives like clean-ups, litter management, revegetation projects, and solid waste reduction along our waterways.
Reportedly, the Water and Sanitation Directorate of the City of Cape Town hosted its 2nd Annual Catchment Management Forum (CMF) Review, where grant funding was awarded to four CMFs in support of their efforts to reduce water pollution, and initiatives to increase community participation in the protection of rivers and urban waterways.
Representatives from several established CMFs and key stakeholders attended the event on Saturday, February 07, 2026. The engagement provided a platform for City officials and the leadership of the CMFs to discuss challenges, share lessons, and plan for collaboration to increase the footprint of activities working on the ground.
Success stories were shared by Soet River CMF Chairperson – Dave Walker, whose catchment includes one of the City’s most chronically polluted waterways. And Zeekoe CMF Chairperson – Dr. Liz Day, who has worked tirelessly to build strong working relationships with key stakeholders in her catchment.
There are currently 10 CMFs across the city. These forums give civil society and other non-government stakeholders a regular platform to engage with service delivery departments and take a collaborative approach to managing catchments. The CMF structure encourages different perspectives to be shared, while staying focused on practical, results-driven solutions. It also empowers communities to play a role in improving water quality, reducing flood risks and protecting aquatic ecosystems.
In total, R622,000 awarded to CMF’s. Four CMFs received grant funding from the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate after applying last year. The funds will be used as follows:
- Eerste Kuils CMF – clean-ups along canals and rivers in the Eerste-Kuils catchment.
- Soet River CMF – installation of a litter storage cage, river wardens and a revegetation project.
- Zandvlei CMF – management and restoration work along the Westlake River and tributary streams in Orchard Village, Lakeside.
- Zeekoe CMF – a solid waste reduction programme along the Big Lotus River between Duinefontein Road and Jakes Gerwel Drive.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien said that these CMFs play a vital role in supporting integrated catchment management at a local level. They help in tackling complex challenges around water quality, flooding, recreation and ecosystem health.
Each catchment faces its own pressures, but with the support of established CMFs, they believe practical, workable solutions are possible. The team encourage residents to get involved in their local CMFs and be part of improving their environments.