Manzi makes a splash this festive season
18 January 2026
This festive season, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate mascot, Manzi dropped in at Drivers Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) and popular beaches across Cape Town to share important water-wise messaging.
Manzi had a busy festive season, engaging with residents and visitors at eight beaches and eight DLTCs across the city over December 2025 and January 2026 to promote water-wise behaviour, responsible water use and environmental awareness during one of the busiest periods of the year.
Residents and visitors were encouraged to play their part in protecting water resources and keeping coastal areas clean and safe for everyone to enjoy.
‘The festive season places increased pressure on our water and sanitation infrastructure, and it is important that residents are reminded to use water responsibly wherever they are. Manzi helps us deliver these messages in a fun and engaging way, especially to young people and families,’ said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
The City reminds the public of some key tips to remain water-wise this summer:
- Take short, stop-start showers or small baths. The maximum flow rate of new and replaced showerheads may not exceed seven litres.
- Wash more with less. Only wash clothes and dishes (pots, cups etc) when really needed. Washing and spot-cleaning can use less water.
- Turn off taps and hoses when not using the water.
- Only water gardens before 09:00 or after 18:00 to avoid evaporation losses.
- Keep summer fun water wise. Use water mindfully for children’s play and cooling. E.g. Use a wet cloth to cool down hot skin and avoid wasteful spraying of water.
- Swim, cover, save, repeat. Built-in and fold-away pools must be covered when not in use, to prevent up to 95% of evaporation losses. Recycle the backwash and top up with rainwater or alternative water where possible.
We are encouraging residents to use water wisely and help keep within the daily water usage target of 975MLD to ensure that we will not need to implement water restrictions in future.
Please reduce your water usage now. Water restrictions are the last option and done to conserve water, but the likelihood of implementing them can be prevented.
END
Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
