About Princess Vlei
Princess Vlei is a wetland on the Cape Flats with a mythical history, which has long been treasured for its beauty and tranquillity. In 2014, a five-year community campaign successfully prevented the development of a shopping mall on its banks. The Princess Vlei Forum is now working with the community and the City of Cape Town to restore the biodiversity and transform the 110 ha into a world-class heritage site celebrating its rich natural, social, and cultural heritage. But the struggle is not over - the site has been badly neglected and we are still working to ensure that the City invests the resources the Princess Vlei needs.
Videos
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In 2022, Rewild Africa worked with Princess Vlei Forum staff and volunteers to create a short documentary to tell the Princess Vlei story.
Watch the movie on the Waterbear website Read more about the film here |
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Some of the indigenous species that we protect
Thistle Sugarbush/ Witskollie
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Cape Dwarf Chameleon
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Western Leopard Toad
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Rondevlei Spiderhead
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Our progress so far
0,9 Hectares
Area Restored |
5,5 Hectares
Area Rehabilitated |
13
Threatened Species Introduced |
42 275
Plants Planted |
546
Community Members Engaged |
2642
School Children Engaged |
Our Supporters
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Upcoming Events |
Recent Events
July 20: Heal the land, Heal yourself.
On 20 July. Community members of all ages gathered to help restore the wetland environment on the Northern shore of Princess Vlei, in celebration of Mandela Day on July 18. Kamva Nose, a conservation intern with the PVF, welcomed the group of 20 volunteers: ’… As humans, we have responsibility, we are the custodians own nature. So let’s take care of it .’ Read More 
July 17: Making pond magic
Since early May, the Princess Vlei Forum has been bringing life back to the northern shore of Princess Vlei with the creation of a new seasonal pond, to help revive the seasonal wetland that once characterised Princess Vlei. Many hands have helped to clear invasive species, revive indigenous plants, and plant indigenous species once abundant at Princess Vlei. Read more 
July 17: A Heart-shaped pond
Reviving seasonal ponds, which fill with the winter rains and dry out in summer, is a critical part of our work in reviving ecosystems in Princess Vlei, to help us bring back the waterblommetjies, micro frogs and a host of other fauna and flora. This year we have expanded our restoration work on the northern side of the vlei and have created a second seasonal pond. Read more. 
May 10: Tackling Plastic
Plastic pollution has a major impact on Princess Vlei, harming local animals and creating an unsightly environment. It is also a major global threat, choking our oceans and waterways, and multiplying other threats such as as climate change. On May 10 we held a workshop to explores ways of tackling the plastic monster Read More 
April : The green team takes on invaders
Recent visitors to Princess Vlei might have seen our star Hyacinth hunters at work. Sydney Jacobs and his team, working in collaboration with the City, have pulled off a miracle in clearing this sprawling invader. Read More 
April 17: Exploring the Source of the Diep
A group of high school learners from Manenberg is joining us on a journey to study the length of the Diep River - at it’s source, at the point where it enters the Little Princess Vlei, when it has been canalised, and the estuary at Sandvlei when it enters the ocean. Read More 
March 28: The Levana Wetland Explorers
Over 100 Lavender Hill learners attended the wetland explorer experience at Princess Vlei last month. Grade 7 and Grade 5 learners from Levana Primary came to explore the fynbos and the water, and to enjoy a canoe ride. Read More 
February: Mowed Down
On Tuesday 3 February, a mowing contractor drove over one of our restoration sites situated on the northern shore, nearby Briana Crescent. Several hundred plants were destroyed. Read More 
December: The great Hyacinth Heist
Invasive water hyacinth has been an annual headache at Princess Vlei, lowering the quality of the habitat and clogging the water. But a coordinated effort is bringing hope that this problem can finally be managed in a more effective and less destructive way.... Read More 
November: Toad Love
Eighty-four learners from five primary schools took part in our boats and toads project in November. The project, which was sponsored by the National Lotteries Commission, aims to generate excitement and passion amongst local school learners for the critically endangered Western Leopard Toad.. Read Moretoad-love.html 
November: Harmony at Princess Vlei night & day
Thirteen Harmony Primary School learners attended their first camp at Princess Vlei from the 22nd to the 24th November. Learners from Grades 5 to 7 spent 2 nights at the Eco Center, a recreational facility based at Princess Vlei wetland park in Southfield. Read More 
October 12: Cherish the Waters, Cherish the earth
We pledge care, respect and sustainable practices. We commit to nurturing this vital eco system. This pledge was made by learners from Levana Primary, at the ceremony to launch a floating sculpture at Princess Vlei. The sculpture is intended to honour of the Khoe princess who gave Princess Vlei its name. Read More 
October 11: The making of a Princess
THE Floating Princess has long been in our collective imagination, a spiritual presence reminding us of the complexity of history and story that lives through Princess Vlei. But she has now taking material form, as a sculpture on a floating platform anchored about thirty meters off shore. Read More |
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