City partnership helps transform Hout Bay's rivers and wetlands through community action
10 July 2026
Cleaner waterways, restored wetlands and improved public access are among the environmental benefits being delivered across the Hout Bay catchment through the Friends of the Rivers of Hout Bay (FORHB), one of 22 community-based organisations supported by the City's Water and Sanitation Directorate's grant funding programme.
FORHB already runs litter collection initiatives across the Hout Bay River, surrounding wetlands, the beach and other natural areas.
As part of its project plan for the funding from the City, FORHB undertook the following key activities:
Ramping up conservation efforts: removing invasive alien vegetation as part of maintenance at Kadotstroom (maintenance), Hughenden Stream (an endangered Cape Granite Fynbos biome), Longkloof Weir, Bethal Public Open Space (POS), and the lower river and wetland.
Infrastructure enhancements: constructing a 14 m boardwalk from recycled plastic across a wetland pathway frequently used by pedestrians, runners and walkers. Previously impassable during winter, the crossing now provides safe, year-round access.
Community engagement: facilitating dialogue with local residents to educate the youth who swim in the public space, about water safety. Supported by the Communications and Partnerships branch, the initial discussions encouraged cohesive and responsible use of the shared asset, encouraged cleanliness, as well as respect for the environment and others.
Beach clean-up: held on Human Rights Day at Hout Bay Beach to remove litter and raise awareness about its detrimental effects on the environment. Approximately 20 bags of waste were collected.
‘We thank the FORHB for their continued environmental stewardship and dedication to our partnership. They have voluntarily led initiatives which address the needs in the area, shared valuable local knowledge and used their funding for constructing a boardwalk, which will benefit everyone,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member of Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
‘The funding from the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has enabled us to make a significant impact on three areas of the river corridor and the wetland. We have removed invasive species, installed erosion control measures and done some planting. We are excited about the improved state of the Hout Bay River catchment because of this funding and the work completed,’ said Jackie Whales from FORHB.
Caption 1: The 14 m boardwalk, constructed by FORHB from recycled plastic across the wetland, provides safe, year-round access along a route that was previously impassable during winter.
Caption 2: In addition to its regular twice-weekly clean-ups, FORHB hosted a Human Rights Day beach clean-up at Hout Bay Beach to remove litter and raise awareness about its impact on the environment. From left: Mmeli Notshulwana (Communications and Partnership, Water and Sanitation City of Cape Town), Jackie Whales and Penny Brown.
Caption 3: Litter collection and sorting remain a key part of FORHB’s ongoing efforts to protect the Hout Bay catchment. From left: George Mchiza, Jackie Whales, Gordon Bradley, Nelisa Mapumla, Mark Lewis, Curen Fortuin (Economic Development Partnership), Mmeli Notshulwana (City of Cape Town) and Gavin Martin (Water and Sanitation: Senior Professional Officer for Catchment Planning in Region 2, City of Cape Town).
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
