Deputy Minister Narend Singh will lead World Wetlands Day commemorations at the Rondevlei section of the False Bay Nature Reserve on Monday, 2 February 2026, emphasising the role of local knowledge in protecting urban wetlands, reports Cape {town} Etc.
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According to the Minister’s statement, the event, held under the global IUCN theme ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage’, will bring national and city officials together with the City of Cape Town’s River Wardens to showcase community conservation work and skills development.
To date, 57 participants have received training, mentorship and work experience.
Rondevlei, a RAMSAR-designated wetland, supports extremely rare and migratory species and meets multiple ecological criteria that underline its regional importance, especially in the context of water security.
The wetlands of the Cape Peninsula, including Rondevlei, were integral to Khoi and San lifeways, serving as seasonal sources of freshwater, shellfish, reeds and grazing that are woven into First Nations place‑names and cultural practices, so Rondevlei sits within a much older Indigenous landscape.
Although colonial settlement and urbanisation disrupted access and traditional uses, the wetland has endured as a living resource and cultural touchstone, preserved in local memory and ongoing heritage work.
Deputy Minister Narend Singh said, ‘Our wetlands are vital ecosystems that sustain biodiversity and support livelihoods. By celebrating traditional knowledge and empowering communities, we strengthen our commitment to conserving these precious environments for future generations.’
CapeNature wrote in a socials post that ‘Wetlands are living cultural landscapes, shaped not only by water and wildlife, but by generations of people who have lived alongside them. ‘
This focus on community involvement lies at the heart of the River Warden programme’s mission to nurture active custodianship of Cape Town’s wetlands.
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Cape Town learners celebrate launch of Junior River Warden Programme
Picture: Jean van der Meulen / Pexels
