Impact of Inclement Weather across CapeNature Reserves in May 2026
The last bout of extreme weather began in early May, when a cut-off low-pressure system hit the Garden Route. A week later, two powerful cold fronts swept through the rest of the Province, unleashing torrential rains and gale-force winds. The result has been widespread damage, with 85% of all reserves reporting at least some form of damage. The Cederberg region has emerged as the hardest hit. Still reeling from a devastating fire in December that burnt 53 000 hectares, the area has now been subjected to severe flooding. The deluge has washed vast quantities of topsoil into rivers and onto roadways, compounding the ecological scars left by the fire. Other reserves have reported damage to essential infrastructure, including roads, hiking trails, office buildings, storage facilities, and staff housing.
CapeNature was able to secure additional funding from a national disaster declaration in 2023 and 2024, and these funds were channelled into repairing the damage caused by earlier floods. Yet the latest storms have inflicted new costly damage to nature reserves — much of it to the very same infrastructure that had just been rebuilt. The Entity is still counting the costs, with the damage estimated to be millions of rands.
While the aftermath of this weather is a blow to CapeNature’s efforts to rebuild and to the Province’s ‘build-back-better’ philosophy, a full re-evaluation of all completed work and assessment of fresh damage is being done to quantify the full impact. In response, CapeNature staff, alongside officials from the Department of Infrastructure, will embark on a comprehensive damage assessment tour of CapeNature’s reserves from 8 to 12 June.
Despite the devastation, there is a silver lining because the flooding occurred so early in the winter season, many of the dams were not yet at full capacity and were able to serve as flood attenuation structures, absorbing excess runoff and reducing the potential for even greater erosion and inundation. The release of this water will have to be done with extreme caution in the coming weeks and months to ensure that dams do not inadvertently add to flood risks. As the winter settles in, we hope for a milder and more stable cold season ahead.
Related News
Firefighters honoured after one of the Western Cape's toughest fire seasons
CapeNature hosted an appreciation event in Velddrif on 4 August 2026 to honour firefighters who were on the frontlines during the Western Cape's most recent fire season. A representative group attended the event on behalf of CapeNature's larger cohort of Field Rangers and firefighters working across the Province. Despite extreme heat and challenging terrain, the firefighters remained steadfast in their commitment to protecting communities, infrastructure and the Western Cape's
CapeNature welcomes the conviction of Cape Town couple for wildlife crime
CapeNature welcomes the sentence imposed by the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Mr Zirkie Bernardus Jansen and Mrs Valerie Gayle Simpson-Jansen of Kirstenhof following their conviction on multiple offences relating to the unlawful keeping, possession and transport of reptiles. The couple were each sentenced on 30 July 2026 to pay a fine of R40 000 or serve 18 months’ imprisonment after being convicted on seven counts under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974.
The joy of being outdoors
Life has a way of becoming busy, but sometimes the greatest luxury is simply slowing down. Imagine waking up to fresh mountain air, taking a gentle stroll beneath towering trees, listening to birdsong, or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee while overlooking breathtaking natural landscapes. These are the moments that help us reconnect with ourselves and appreciate the simple joys of life. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the restorative power of nature. That's why we're inviting senior citizens to enjoy peaceful escapes across the Western
Freshwater science takes centre stage at the 2026 SASAqS Conference
The Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) is a learned society concerned with the research, management and conservation of inland waters and their associated biota throughout southern Africa. Established in 1964 as the Limnological Society of South Africa, SASAqS provides an important forum for discussion and sharing of scientific ideas. The two cornerstones of the society's activities are the annual conference and the African Journal of Aquatic Science.
Marine Protected Areas hold the key to human wellbeing
On 1 August, we celebrate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Day, a global occasion first marked in 2021 to recognise the role that MPAs play in conserving our oceans while supporting the wellbeing of people and communities. The day encourages us to appreciate the value of MPAs and the many ways they benefit both us and the extraordinary marine biodiversity they are designed to protect. This year's theme, "Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection," reminds us that conserving our oceans is a shared responsibility.
Bringing Conservation to Life Through Storytelling, Film and Digital Media
When was the last time a film, photograph or story about nature made you stop and feel something? Perhaps it was a breathtaking wildlife documentary. A short social media reel that transported you to a mountain peak. A travel video that inspired your next adventure. Or a story that highlighted the impact of a wildfire and reminded you why conservation matters. Every adventure has a story. Watch ours on our YouTube channel and subscribe for more.