Ward 2 Development Forum

CapeNature

Properties3
descriptionThe Western Cape's public entity for nature conservation. It manages the Riviersonderend Complex of reserves in the mountains above the valley, publishes the Boesmanskloof trail to Greyton, and runs the stewardship programme that may extend the Greyton Nature Reserve.
tagstheme/environment, theme/water, lang/en
aliasesCape Nature, Western Cape Nature Conservation Board

5 min read

For CapeNature to review

CapeNature has not yet seen this page. It describes the organisation only through what it has said or done, and through what others named here have said about it. The Forum has not approached CapeNature about anything. Until CapeNature has approved the text, it may change. Questions for CapeNature:

  1. Is this description of CapeNature and its work around the valley correct? What would you like to change?
  2. The minutes of the Forum’s first meeting give an action to “Elsenburg and CapeNature representatives”. Does CapeNature have a representative at the Forum?
  3. Has the proposed extension of the Greyton Nature Reserve moved forward since your stewardship panel approved it?
  4. Does CapeNature work with the Greater Cape Town Water Fund on clearing in the Riviersonderend mountains? If so, on which slopes?
  5. Should readers reach you through the moderators, or through a public contact?

CapeNature is the Western Cape’s public entity for nature conservation, governed by a board under the Western Cape Biodiversity Act 6 of 2021 [MS]. In the mountains above the valley it manages the Riviersonderend Complex, about 28,580 hectares of protected areas that include Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve [IC]. Its stewardship panel has approved a proposed extension of the Greyton Nature Reserve [MS], and it sits on the steering committee of the Greater Cape Town Water Fund [MS].

What the letters in square brackets mean

Facts on this page are followed by a tag that shows where they come from.

  • [IC] Independently Corroborated. Confirmed by an official record, such as a government notice or a court or council record, or by at least two sources that do not depend on each other.
  • [MS] Mission-Sourced. Comes from the organisation’s own website or statements, from the statements of a group it works with, or from the Forum’s own records. It has not been checked against sources that do not depend on them.
  • [TBV] To Be Verified. Seems likely, but nobody has confirmed it from a reliable source yet.

At a glance

KindGovernment
Based inNot yet known
Websitecapenature.co.za
RoleManager of the Riviersonderend Complex; stewardship of private and community reserves [MS]
Link to the valleyDirect. Its reserves are in the mountains above Greyton and Genadendal
Contact with the ForumNot approached

What it does

CapeNature describes itself as the province’s chief custodian of the natural environment, working through partnerships towards a conservation economy in the Western Cape [MS]. It is a Schedule 3C public entity, governed by a board [MS].

How its work reaches the valley

  • The reserves. The Riviersonderend Complex covers about 28,580 hectares [IC]. CapeNature’s management plan for the Complex names the klipspringer as a sign that its habitat is connected [IC]. Wild Restoration says its current clearing focus is the high-altitude wetlands of the Greyton Nature Reserve and nearby CapeNature land [MS].
  • The trails. CapeNature publishes a map and brochure for the Boesmanskloof trail between McGregor and Greyton [IC]. The Greyton Tourism Bureau gives visitors information on CapeNature permits [MS].
  • The Greyton Nature Reserve. The Greyton Conservation Society says CapeNature’s stewardship panel has approved a proposed extension of the reserve, and that further steps are needed before it is final [MS].
  • Clearing for water. CapeNature sat on the steering committee of the Greater Cape Town Water Fund in 2020 [MS]. Wild Restoration lists CapeNature as a partner [MS], and has told the Forum that the water fund supports clearing in the Riviersonderend mountains through a partnership with CapeNature [TBV].
  • The Forum. The minutes of the Forum’s first meeting, on 16 September 2026, give “Elsenburg and CapeNature representatives” the action of sharing information on Elsenburg qualifications, host farms, and dates [MS]. CapeNature is not among the organisations listed as attending [MS].

Where it touches this site

What is still open

  • Whether CapeNature has a representative at the Forum, as the minutes suggest.
  • Whether the extension of the Greyton Nature Reserve has moved forward.
  • Whether CapeNature works with the Greater Cape Town Water Fund in the Riviersonderend mountains, and where.

Have your say

If you know more about CapeNature’s work in the valley, contact the moderators via How to Submit.

References

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