Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has made a major pledge to expand clean public spaces across the metro, announcing the commitment at Princess Vlei near Grassy Park on Wednesday, 2 September.

The venue choice carried immense symbolic weight, according to Hill-Lewis.

In July, People’s Post reported that just three weeks after the official opening of the new Princess Vlei trail, vandals reportedly removed one of the wooden slats from a footbridge in the park.

This incident prompted the City of Cape Town to appeal to residents for information and to help protect one of the Cape Flats’ most important environmental and heritage sites.

The City had invested R10,2 million in the development of the 4,23 km Princess Vlei trail, creating an accessible recreational space with boardwalks, bridges, seating areas, restored fynbos and improved public facilities.

The project was completed in partnership with the Princess Vlei Forum (PVF) and local communities after years of collaboration to enhance and protect the area.

“In the next term we commit to take even tougher action against illegal dumping and littering,” Hill-Lewis declared, “expand cleaning services where they are needed most, and keep investing in the parks and public places that belong to all Capetonians. Princess Vlei shows exactly what is possible when a local government relentlessly focuses on this basic service.”

He also promised to step up enforcement against illegal dumping and littering, expand cleaning services in informal settlements, upgrade parks, beaches, sidewalks and public spaces, and expanding Safe Spaces and support for people living on the streets.

Princess Vlei is internationally recognised as an important biodiversity site and provides habitat for numerous indigenous plant species.

It is also a vital breeding area for the critically endangered Western Leopard Toad, making environmental protection a key priority.

Beyond its ecological value, Princess Vlei is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the area. Khoi-San community activist Mary Ann Jansen previously said that preserving Princess Vlei was about far more than protecting open space.

“We were involved in the struggle to have Princess Vlei declared a heritage site. It was a long battle that lasted many years, but ultimately we were successful in having it recognised and protected as a heritage site for the people.”

She explained that the vlei and surrounding landscape were closely connected to Khoi-San history and spiritual traditions.

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