Funding boost for catchment forums tackling polluted waterways
23 February 2026
The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate 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, 7 February 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.
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:
1. Eerste Kuils CMF – clean-ups along canals and rivers in the Eerste-Kuils catchment.
2. Soet River CMF – installation of a litter storage cage, river wardens and a revegetation project.
3. Zandvlei CMF - management and restoration work along the Westlake River and tributary streams in Orchard Village, Lakeside.
4. Zeekoe CMF - a solid waste reduction programme along the Big Lotus River between Duinefontein Road and Jakes Gerwel Drive.
‘These CMFs play a vital role in supporting integrated catchment management at a local level. They help tackle complex challenges around water quality, flooding, recreation and ecosystem health.
‘Each catchment faces its own pressures, but with the support of established CMFs, we believe practical, workable solutions are possible. We encourage residents to get involved in their local CMFs and be part of improving their environments,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Caption 1: Representatives from the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate and local Catchment Management Forums came together at the second annual engagement.
Caption 2: The Zeekoe CMF received funding from the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate. Nqobile Simelane (Manager: Communications and Partnerships, Water and Sanitation), Dr Liz Day (Chairperson: Zeekoe CMF) and Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
Caption 3: (Dropbox) Eerste-Kuils CMF Chairperson Anthony van Rhyn with City representatives after receiving grant funding. From left: Johann Terblanche (Catchment Planner: Northern Regions), Anthony van Rhyn (Chairperson: Eerste-Kuils CMF) and Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Caption 4: (Dropbox) Zandvlei CMF Chairperson Jenny Louw with City officials at the funding announcement. From left: Mark van der Heever (Head: Publicity and Partnerships, Water and Sanitation), Jenny Louw and Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Dropbox: Caption 5: Soet River CMF Chairperson Dave Walker at the funding handover. From left: Lauren Arendse (Western Cape Economic Development Partnership), Dave Walker and Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
