City partnership helps restore and protect Soet River
25 May 2026
The Soet River Catchment Management Forum (CMF) is one of four CMFs that received grant funding from the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate to support water pollution reduction and strengthen community participation in protecting rivers and urban waterways.
The City invested R622 000 into Catchment Management Forums (CMFs), with the Soet River CMF actively improving the health of the Soet River since its inception in June 2024. Through this funding, the CMF has implemented a range of integrated interventions aimed at reducing pollution, improving river health and increasing community stewardship.
Litter storage cage
In response to illegal dumping, a secure 9x6 metre litter storage cage was installed on the bank of the Soet River at the corner of Boundary and Onverwacht roads, providing residents with a designated disposal point to discourage dumping into the river.
The CMF also distributed 200 educational pamphlets to nearby households, encouraging responsible waste disposal and use of the cage. Community response has been positive, with increased use of the facility and growing peer encouragement among residents.
As a result, the surrounding section of the river is noticeably cleaner, with improved river flow and a significant reduction in illegal dumping. Waste collected in the cage is regularly removed by the City and includes household refuse, furniture, building rubble, e-waste and other materials. Local waste pickers are also accessing the cage to recover recyclable materials, improving informal recycling opportunities.
Employing River Wardens
The Soet River CMF appointed three River Wardens, supported by six EPWP workers deployed through the City, to drive ongoing clean-up and maintenance efforts.
The team began with a major hand-clean-up operation, removing approximately 5 000 bags of litter, and preparing the site for revegetation work scheduled for the last week of May 2026.
River Wardens are responsible for environmental awareness, encouraging proper use of the litter cage, deterring illegal dumping and reporting offenders to law enforcement. They are equipped with tools such as spades, rakes, gumboots and gloves to support daily operations.
The CMF acknowledged support from Plastics SA, which sponsored thousands of yellow clean-up bags used during the project. This partnership has strengthened operational capacity for ongoing clean-up efforts.
On 30 April 2026, The Litterboom Project (another City partner) assisted with a one-day clean-up at the Soet River culvert, removing approximately three tonnes of waste.
Revegetation project
The CMF has initiated a revegetation project along the section of the Soet River adjacent to Onverwacht Road (between Boundary Road and Broadway Boulevard). The project includes the supply of topsoil and the planting of approximately 4 000 sedges and other wetland species that support biodiversity by attracting birds and insects.
These plants also improve water quality by absorbing excess nitrogen, phosphates and other pollutants from the river system.
The CMF is also engaging nurseries, seed producers and related industries to secure donated plants and seeds to supplement ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
‘I applaud the City for considering CMFs for grant funding. The funding awarded to the Soet River CMF has allowed us to restore flow and improve water quality in a section of the river that was in desperate need of help. Bird life is returning and, last week, we heard frogs in that section of the river for the first time in many years. I firmly believe that the grant-funded projects will have a lasting impact on the river and on the way local communities view it,’ said Dave Walker, chairperson of the Soet River CMF.
‘I'd like to remind residents in Strand, Nomzamo and Lwandle that the Soet River is not a waste removal system. Every item of waste thrown into the river ultimately becomes a problem for the ocean, marine life and our communities. We all have a role to play in protecting and preserving our waterways for future generations,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
