The Diep River and the Prinskasteel / Keysers River corridors in the Zandvlei catchment have been identified as the pilot river corridors for the implementation of the project. The river restoration initiative, the Source to Sea Project, is a partnership between the City, ICLEI Africa (Local Governments for Sustainability), South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).

‘Various City departments, as well as our partners, all have different programmes and initiatives that are taking place in these corridors. Consolidating the work that is being done and ensuring that there is a clear, systematic, focused and feasible way of working together in the future will be a more efficient use of resources and will unlock maximum river management results.

 

‘This approach is an integral part of the future sustainability of freshwater and coastal habitats, as Cape Town’s rivers, estuaries, wetlands and coastal environment are all interlinked. This river restoration project represents a paradigm shift for urban river management within Cape Town,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Councillor Johan van der Merwe.

 

 

These two corridors arise on the slopes of Table Mountain, before meandering into the Zandvlei Nature Reserve and eventually flowing out to sea at Muizenberg, along the False Bay coastline. These river corridors play an important role in linking mountain fynbos with the critically endangered low-lying Cape Flats, where small remnants of sand fynbos and dune strandveld vegetation still occur.

 

With the assistance of ICLEI Africa, a website has been developed for the Source to Sea Project and it was launched on 30 June 2016 at the SANParks Research Centre in Tokai. The website provides information about the work being done in the river corridors as well as information about upcoming activities within the Zandvlei catchment. Members of the public are encouraged to add information about any events.

 

‘We are moving towards a way of partnering with communities and discerning how best to respond to their needs. The transversal nature of the Source to Sea Project makes it a unique initiative as it connects interest groups, civil society, City departments, scientists, non-governmental organisations, parastatals and members of the public,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Special Projects, Alderman Belinda Walker.