The V-CMF is one of three forums operating in the broader Salt River Catchment area. Together, these forums aim to drive community-led action and practical solutions to the water quality challenges facing this important urban river system.

As part of the river walk, the group observed conditions at the Bokmakierie Canal in Jan Smuts Drive, which flows into the Vygekraal River, and then continued to the last stop at the Bloemvlei Canal in Belgravia. Although recently upgraded, this canal remains chronically polluted due to illegal dumping.

‘It was wonderful meeting such passionate and knowledgeable individuals who have an amazing vision to address the various challenges within the Vygekraal catchment.  We encourage residents and businesses in the area to get more involved by attending forum meetings and working alongside the City to improve our waterways,’ said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The Vygekraal sub-catchment spans several key waterways and communities. The Bloemvlei Canal flows through Hanover Park, Penlyn Estate and Rylands; the Bokmakierie Canal runs through Hazendal, Athlone and Bokmakierie; and the Vygekraal River passes through Gugulethu, Manenberg and Bridgetown.

Since the start of the 2025/26 financial year, the City has committed to investing R3 million in a range of initiatives across the catchment. These include preparing waterways to manage increased winter flows, removing invasive alien vegetation, improving inland water quality, and enhancing stormwater hydraulic performance.

Update on the Vygekraal River, Athlone Liveable Urban Waterway initiative

This project involves rehabilitating specific sections of the Vygekraal River between Jakes Gerwel Drive and Athlone Wastewater Treatment Works, including the section through Nantes Park.

Significant progress has been made on the design, incorporating input gathered through various community-driven workshops. The proposed interventions focus strongly on improving the overall liveability of the area. The project is currently moving through the environmental authorisation process, a critical step before implementation can begin.

It aims to:

• Rehabilitate the waterway where there is erosion;
• Create more natural-looking banks;
• Remove invasive alien plants and sediments, and replace with appropriate plants;
• Create new wetlands and rehabilitate the existing wetlands; and
• Improve footpaths, bridges, seating and signage.

‘We envision a healthy, resilient and well-managed Vygekraal Catchment that supports ecological integrity, public health, and socio-economic wellbeing for all communities within the catchment. Ultimately, the forum’s vision is for the Vygekraal Catchment to become a model of integrated urban water management, where rivers and canals are valued as shared assets that contribute to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and improved quality of life for present and future generations,’ said Haroun Parker, chairperson of the V- CMF.

As the forum continues to take shape, stakeholder mapping is under way. Residents and interested parties will be able to find details of upcoming meetings on the City’s X (formerly Twitter) account, @CityofCT.