 | Drakenstein Municipality shares progress on pioneering hybrid flood alleviation programme with international delegation
30 July 2025 | Press Releases |
30 July 2025
Drakenstein Municipality hosted delegates from the United Kingdom Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Paarl on Thursday, 24 July 2025, to share progress on the Municipality's groundbreaking hybrid flood alleviation programme with them.
The Paarl Arboretum Environmental Classroom was the selected venue for the Municipality to demonstrate its leadership in climate change mitigation within the local government space. Cindy Winter, Manager: Environmental Management at Drakenstein Municipality, outlined to the international delegation how the Municipality is actively safeguarding vulnerable communities across three sub-catchments - Palmiet, Groenheuwel and Mbekweni - from the growing threat of flooding linked to climate change.
Driven by the Municipality's vision of “a city of excellence", the innovative hybrid flood alleviation programme integrates nature-based and traditional engineering solutions to deliver cost-effective, sustainable flood resilience while unlocking co-benefits such as improved water quality, biodiversity protection, and recreational spaces.
Delegates were offered a firsthand look at one of the proposed priority intervention areas along Drommedaris Street in Paarl. Thanks to the Municipality's proactive engagement and project leadership, specialist technical studies, funded by the FCDO and CFF, and delivered by GIZ, have already been completed with concept design notes developed for six priority sites.
With concept design work now underway for one of the sites and momentum building for further development as funding expands, the hybrid flood alleviation programme marks a major leap toward a just transition and a climate-smart city.
Drakenstein Municipality's commitment is clear: to shape a greener, safer and more inclusive future for its people.
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PHOTO CAPTIONS:
- Delegates from the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) interact with Drakenstein Municipality's officials on the Municipality's pioneering hybrid flood alleviation programme and how it benefits residents.
- Seraj Johaar, Executive Director: Corporate and Planning Services at Drakenstein Municipality, presents on the Municipality's hybrid flood alleviation programme during the international delegation's visit to the Paarl Arboretum.
- Drakenstein Municipality's officials welcome an international delegation from the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to Paarl.
About Drakenstein Municipality
Located an hour's drive from Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, Drakenstein Municipality is one of the country's most financially sound, well-governed, stable and sustainable municipalities. The Municipality has been rated South Africa's number one secondary city and has, since 2011, achieved 10 clean audits. Boasting the largest economy in the Cape Winelands, Drakenstein is home to 311 601 residents and includes the historic Winelands towns of Paarl and Wellington.
Embodying its vision of “a city of excellence", the Municipality prides itself on providing its residents, businesses, investors and visitors with excellent services and well-maintained, advanced infrastructure. As Southern Africa's first self-declared Fair Trade City and the fourth in Africa, Drakenstein Municipality is serious about building a sustainable future, and has garnered various awards for its commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. Drakenstein is also recognised for having one of the highest growth potentials in the Western Cape. As a progressive business and investment region and a city geared for growth, it constantly attracts new development.
For more, visit https://www.drakenstein.gov.za/ or follow the Municipality on Facebook at @DrakensteinMunicipality, Instagram at @drakensteinmunicipality, LinkedIn at Drakenstein Municipality and YouTube at @DrakensteinMunicipality1.
Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
