The City of Cape Town’s long-term flood alleviation project in the lower reaches of the Lourens River is currently 51% complete. The project, which aims to mitigate the risk of flooding in the Strand area, is focused on constructing flood protection berms and erosion protection retaining walls between the N2 and Broadway Boulevard and between Andries Pretorius and Main Road.
However, the project has encountered significant challenges and a setback at Kay’s Community in Strand, formerly named Kay’s Caravan Park.
Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien explained: “The construction of a flood-protection wall in this area is crucial to prevent future flooding in the Strand North area, a recurring issue in recent years, including 2024. Unfortunately, two houses have been built on private land within the Protected Natural Environment (PNE) without necessary building approval. These two houses are not on City land.”
He clarified, and warned, that building without obtaining approval from the City is a legal violation.
“The City is currently investigating the ownership of a specific strip of land between the riverbank and Kay’s property.”
The relocation of these two houses, along with 10 others, is essential for the project to proceed.
“While nine homes have been successfully relocated, three remain,” Badroodien said. “The City is working with the owner of Kay’s Community to find suitable relocation options, but financial constraints have hindered progress.
“The City is pursuing an amicable resolution with the owner of Kay’s, rather than legal action.
“The City has reserved a site in Strand for the relocation of families living near the river bank, and that this proposal was agreed to by Kay’s representative in a recent meeting.”
Badroodien clarified that “The City is exploring its options to minimise possible delays caused by the relocation of the remaining housing structures.”
According to the owner of Kay’s, Lana Strumpfer de Goede, her team has worked incredibly hard over several months to relocate more than 10 households and 15 families, which has come at a cost of over R800 000.
“We received no funds for this relocation from the City,” she said. “Our funds are now depleted but there’s still three homes to be moved. We’ve really done the best we can.”
Strumpfer de Goede said contractors on the site lent a helping hand and for that she was grateful.
Asked to comment on the progress so far of the Flood Alleviation Project, Steve Louw, chairperson of the Lourens River Conservation Society, explained that the river reached a constricted-flow zone as it passed Kay’s Community, opposite Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary, and that due to natural geology and the current structures which have been erected by various players (some more legal than others), the flood alleviation project had limited options in managing potential flood waters impacting Kay’s and others.
“In the short term it seems necessary to construct a supporting wall to protect against future floods, bearing in mind that residents and owners further downstream in Strand North, bear the brunt of water forcing its way past Kay’s. The Lourens River Conservation Society has for over 30 years been recognised and regarded as the champion of the Lourens River, particularly in retaining its protected status. The society’s main aim is to keep the riverine area in an “as natural as possible state”. While there are longer term options available to assist with high speed high volume floods, we accept that this short-term measure will be to the benefit of residents and owners in the affected area”.
Louw added that of concern was the increasing quantity of builds, re-builds, renovations, extensions and even illegal encroachment on City land, such as public open spaces and public access areas, alongside the Lourens River.
