The Zandvlei Trust

The Zandvlei Trust (ZVT) is a community led public benefit organisation dedicated to protecting the natural resources of the Zandvlei and its immediate surrounds.

ZVT is a registered non-profit run by a group of passionate volunteers who live in the area. We offer tax savings for public donations and are always extremely grateful for any contributions that we receive.

The ZVT was established in 1988 with the inaugural meeting taking place at the Imperial Yacht Club in Lakeside with representatives from the City, Botanical Society, Sea Scouts, recreation clubs, residents’ associations and the Cape Bird Club in attendance.

The inaugural meeting taking place at the Imperial Yacht Club in tatives from the City, Botanical Society, Sea Scouts, recreation clubs, residents’ associations and the Cape Bird Club in attendance.

Since then the Trust has continuously pushed for better management of the vlei and its surrounding environs. Various scientific tests have been conducted on many different biological aspects of the vlei including water salinity and weed growth. These are all important factors that contribute to a healthy water system and have an important role to play in maintaining and increasing the size of the beautiful Zandvlei Nature Reserve.

Executive Committee Members

History

Established in 1988 from an environmental sub-committee, of the Ward 17 (Muizenberg) Rate Payers Association. On Wednesday 23rd March 1988 the inaugural meeting at the Imperial Yacht Club took place with the following present;

Zandvlei Trust is a civil society, volunteer and apolitical organisation with an Executive Committee; it has a Constitution and is a registered non-profit organisation. 

Its aim is to promote the conservation of the indigenous fauna and flora of Zandvlei and to enhance the natural resource for the benefit of all.

Through its dedicated members, the Trust has continuously lobbied for better management of the vlei. They have provoked officials into carrying out technical reports on many different aspects of the vlei, i.e. the salinity, the weed growth and tube worm, all necessary for a healthy water system.

Membership is by subscription and open to anyone. Currently there are +/- 200 paid up members. For the subscription monies members have received 4 newsletters a year and numerous members activities have been arranged over the years. A typical years activities may be, World Wetlands Day, River Day, Arbour Day, AGM, and a members workshop. Guest speakers are invited to address the meetings with Conservation / Environmental topics. Task Teams address ongoing and specific issues to further the aim of the Trust.

The Executive Members sit on numerous local environmental related committees, sub committees and Forums to monitor legislation, developments, which potentially effect Zandvlei and its catchment. They also lobby, monitor and attend public meetings, which affect the rivers, which feed into Zandvlei, e.g. Sand River Catchment Forum, Zandvlei Action Committee, False Bay Ecology Park Steering Committee.

Participate in numerous EIA processes when developments are proposed. The Executive would like to believe they have credibility with local and regional government bodies whom they deal with regularly. The Exco members have developed working partnerships with local City officials.

The Executive work with, consult and network with a number of qualified, professional, experienced and knowledgeable people on the natural environment, who have regularly contributed articles for the Newsletters.

Other organisations

Zandvlei Protected Areas Advisory Committee (ZPAAC)

The Zandvlei Protected Areas Advisory Committee was formed and in June 2015 and has members representing the interests of the yachting and paddling communities, the Bird Club, Sea Cadets, ZVT, as well as active citizens prepared to contribute to the maintenance and improvement of Zandvlei. Minutes of ZPAAC meetings are regulary uploaded on our News page.