Over half a million residents engaged on water and sanitation matters
09 September 2025
Continued public engagement activities by the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate reached over 523 000 residents and 111 school sessions by April 2025.
These initiatives form part of a broader, year-round campaign aimed at promoting responsible water-use and protecting Cape Town’s sanitation infrastructure. Key focus areas include:
• The ‘Bin it, don’t block it’ campaign to reduce sewer blockages
• Education on the New Water Programme
• Awareness about the risks of living in flood-prone informal areas
• Information on reporting service faults and using City channels
• Highlighting the consequences of tampering with infrastructure and illegal water connections
‘When we teach children early about the value of water and how to care for it, we’re not just creating awareness, but we’re shaping a generation of responsible water champions. For the new 2025/2026 financial year, Water and Sanitation will be focusing on sharing the important messaging of the City’s New Water Programme,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
At the heart of the school outreach programme is Manzi, the City’s beloved water mascot. With energy and enthusiasm, Manzi delivers important messages in a fun and age-appropriate way, helping children understand where water comes from and why it must be used wisely.
A popular highlight at these school visits is the giant 4x4m water-themed board game where learners compete to reinforce their understanding of Cape Town’s water by-laws and everyday water-saving habits. The game is designed to encourage lasting behavioural change through interactive play.
In addition, 263 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) staff were employed to support awareness efforts, including door-to-door engagements, community events, data collection and localised education drives in Wallacedene and Wesbank.
The Water and Sanitation’s Community Engagement team has kicked off their school rollout of the City’s New Water Programme. During a session with the learners from Centre of Science and Technology in Khayelitsha on 28 August 2025, the team shared practical tips on sustainable water use and explained how the City is diversifying its water sources to secure Cape Town’s future supply; marking the start of a series of activations that will continue to reach schools and communities across Cape Town in the year ahead.
Invite Manzi to your school
If you would like Manzi to visit your school or educational institution, book via email: Communications.WaterandSanitation@capetown.gov.za .
Caption 1: Councillor Zahid Badroodien addressing learners at the Centre of Science & Technology in Khayelitsha.
Caption 2: Learners at Centre of Science & Technology in Khayelitsha take part in the City’s interactive and educational water-saving programme, hosted by the Water and Sanitation team on 28 August 2025. From left: Lorna Maqula (Water Conservation Officer) and Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Caption 3: Leaners got to know more about the City’s New Water Programme. Lorna Maqula (Water Conservation Officer), Indiphile Jika, Kwanele Dyan and Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
