‘Don’t rob us, don’t rob our children and don’t rob our grandchildren of the beauty that’s been given to us...’ - Edward Copperfield About Princess Vlei
The Princess Vlei is the gateway to the wetland system that runs through Grassy Park. The Vlei has a big history, and has long been treasured by the many citizens who have enjoyed its beauty and tranquility. In 2014 the community won a huge victory in stopping the proposed development of a shopping mall. Since then, the Princess Vlei Forum has been working with the City of Cape Town to restore the biodiversity and transform the 100 ha Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area into a world class heritage site celebrating its rich natural, social and cultural heritage. Watch the video below to learn more about our work, or read more... Join the Forum
The Princess Vlei Forum is working with the City of Cape Town on the ongoing improvement and management of Princess Vlei. All are welcome to join us. Read more... Support |
View the City of Cape Town's Finalised Conceptual Development Framework for the Greater Princess Vlei Area
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NEWS FLASHPrincess Vlei Heritage Site Victory
After a campaign going back several years, the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area was awarded Provincial Heritage status in September 2020. Read More |
Sept 4: Herschel Team hits the aliens and litter
Despite the slight but chilly wind that accompanied 25 parents and learners from Herschel Girls Preparatory School Eco Club during an outing to Princess Vlei on this year’s first Saturday in Spring, activities ensured all participants kept warm Read More 
Sept 2: Dream weavers learn about connecting
'Today we have learnt that plants and animals’ connection is like a web, that’s why they call it the web of life, because the connections are like little relationships between the different things.’ So said Skyler Bowman from Primrose Park Primary, speaking at the Princess Vlei Dream Weavers field trip. Read More 
August: Bringing back the Spiderhead
One of the signature species we have been involved in restoring at Princess Vlei is Serruria foeniculacea, the Rondevlei Spiderhead. Princess Vlei is a sister conservation area to the well-known Rondevlei Nature Reserve. Botanial records show that historically Princess Vlei would have had a very similar plant community to Rondevlei Read More 
August 16: Shoreline destruction update
On May 6, a City contractor caused extensive damage to the shoreline and restoration areas on the eastern shore of Princess Vlei (read our report here). On May 31 Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, issued the following press release. Our response follows below: Read More 
July: Bringing the northern shore to life
‘Today we are planting plants for the environment, and to bring animals closer. This plant is Skilpad Bessies, they are fynbos plants, so it makes a habitat for the tortoise.’ So said Mushfeeq Davids, a grade 8 learner at Lotus High. Mushfeeq was one of twenty Lotus High learners who came to help with the Forum’s restoration planting on the Northern shore.. Read More 
May 22: Heal the Vlei
‘I came here because I love the vlei… and when I heard what had happened, I was devastated, it was so sad…. I had been really excited that the vlei was being restored, especially when some plants that had been extinct were replanted, and when I heard of those being crushed it was just awful, so I felt I had to come back today to replant some of the things. Read More 
May 12: Ripped up ...
The Forum is devastated by the damage done to the Princess Vlei eastern shoreline and restoration area. On 6 May, concerned citizen Zoe Poulsen spotted an earth mover ripping up the shoreline vegetation and dumping the biomass on botanically sensitive areas - including a plot that was restored by the Forum last year as part of the community-led fynbos restoration project. Read More 
March 15: What's growing at Princess Vlei?
I’ve been living in the area for eight years, and never knew what was on my doorstep’. This was a comment by one of the Elfindale residents on the walk at Princess Vlei on Saturday March 13. The walk was organised to make local residents aware of the botanical riches growing at Princess Vlei, and to inspire them to participate in our exciting fynbos restoration project. Read More 
Nov 20: No Mowing brings Spring flowers
On Halloween, twenty volunteers of all ages gave up trick or treating to come to Princess Vlei, to gather seeds for a variety of annual daisies. The seeds will be stored over summer and broadcast in autumn 2021 in the new restoration areas. Princess Vlei is home to several flowering annuals. Read More 
Oct 1: Heritage Status Victory
Thanks to all who championed this cause! The Princess Vlei Forum is delighted with the news that the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area has been awarded the status of a Provincial Heritage Site. The Heritage Western Cape Council officially approved the nomination at a meeting yesterday. Read More |