Cape Town: A new chapter has begun in collaborative water management with the launch of the Vygekraal Catchment Management Forum (V-CMF), that held its inaugural meeting on May 27, 2025 at Athlone Stadium. As one of three forums under the broader Salt River Catchment, the V-CMF is designed to promote community-led action and practical solutions to curb the water quality challenges affecting the vital urban river system.
The V-CMF aims to strengthen community engagement, also protecting and improving river health. It will focus mainly on addressing urban pollution in local watercourses, will also promote sustainable river management, and will raise awareness about the impacts of flooding and the potential for flood alleviation within the catchment.
The Vygekraal sub-catchment includes several key waterways and communities. The Blomvlei Canal flows through Hanover Park, Penlyn Estate and Rylands; the Bokmakierie Canal through Hazendal, Athlone and Bokmakierie; and the Vygekraal River itself flows through Gugulethu, Manenberg and Bridgetown.
Reportedly, this catchment faces several environmental challenges, including frequent flooding, illegal dumping into canals and stormwater systems, and the ongoing degradation of the Vygekraal, Blomvlei and Bokmakierie waterways. These issues contribute significantly to the declining water quality in the broader Salt River system.
The primary drivers of pollution in the Vygekraal catchment include high levels of urban informality, illegal solid waste dumping, greywater and blackwater discharge into the river system, and pump station failures leading to overflows.
Furthermore, the inaugural V-CMF meeting observed active participation from community members and stakeholders, culminating in the election of the forum’s first executive committee. Haroun Parker was elected Chairperson and Ebrahim Rhoda as Vice-Chairperson.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien said that he is grateful to the residents for taking a keen interest in the waterways and attending this inaugural meeting.
He clarified that the V-CMF will serve as a local platform for coordination and collective response to the many challenges facing the catchment. It allows issues to be identified and addressed before they escalate into crises.
Badroodien is looking forward to invite the newly-elected executive of the V-CMF on a river walk, so they can experience first-hand the challenges faced in the catchment. The establishment of this forum marks a significant step in the strategic commitment to preserve and enhance Cape Town’s watercourses.
In year 2024, the Water and Sanitation Directorate developed a comprehensive Pollution Abatement Strategy and Action Plan (PASAP), which outlines a detailed understanding of the Salt River catchment, including Vygekraal, and the ambient water quality of its rivers.
Notably, the PASAP identifies the main sources of pollution and provides a structured action plan to address them through coordinated and sustained intervention.