FRIENDS OF DIE OOG
Newsletter, February 2026
It’s been a hot dry windy summer; water levels in the Cape Town dams which are critical for the city’s water supply have dropped below an average of 60%, a stark 20% lower than this time last year. Die Oog dam level is similarly around 50% of full capacity.
Importantly, we’re nearing our Annual General Meeting. On 14 March, we’ll be sharing a Chairman’s address and the financial report for Friends of Die Oog. We will also provide updates on overgrowth and wetland clearing, the CoCT’s long-term maintenance plan for Die Oog, progress on maintenance and repairs and plans for community involvement & future projects. This is a great opportunity to stay informed and to ask questions. All members and children are welcome to come and join us down at Die Oog. Please sign up for catering purposes and don’t forget to bring a chair to sit on.
Our guest speaker will be Dr Kevin Winter who will be providing insight into the surface water quality at Die Oog and Cape Town’s inland water bodies. His previous talk was very engaging and well received.
Kevin Winter is an emeritus professor in Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and an executive member of the Future Water Institute at UCT in research that deals with surface water management and monitoring. He is also the research director for the Water Hub research centre in Franschhoek. Kevin has widely published academic literature on urban water management and water science; standing as a member of the City of Cape Town’s Section 80 Inland and Wetland Water Quality Committee which helps to support the City in its efforts to manage significant challenges of water quality in our waterways, wetlands and shorelines.
Invasive weed overgrowth
Overgrowth of invasive plant species have resulted in Die Oog going from this clear water body in August 2024 (top photo, taken following rainy winter season), to the photo below (taken 9 February 2026), which captures Die Oog following a dry summer period.
In an attempt to be proactive and limit the impact of the overgrowth of the Kariba weed, FODO motivated and managed neighbourhood voluntary task teams who met over weekends early in January 2025. With additional help from the City teams, the water quality recovered with clearing of the weed, but it has unfortunately deteriorated once again due to regrowth of both Kariba weed and algae all across the water surface.
Water quality is unfortunately no longer within the range of acceptable limits.
Inland Water Reports: The City publishes Inland Water Quality Monthly Summary Reports detailing compliance across various catchments.
While E.coli and dissolved oxygen sample results are considered to be within healthy/acceptable limits, ortho-phosphate, un-ionized ammonia and pH of the water show that conditions in the water body of Die Oog have been outside of tolerable limits for a healthy ecosystem.
One of the little toadlets that hatched this season
This may have negatively impacted the number of toadlets leaving Die Oog in December 2025, following a good breeding outcome a couple of months prior. Far fewer toadlets were seen this December than previous years. It also explains the extent of overgrowth on the water surface.
- For inland waters the City uses E. coli as the primary indicator for human health risk:
- Results ≤500 CFU/100mL are considered good (95th percentile).
- Intermediate Contact (Canoeing, Fishing): The “acceptable” limit is ≤2,500 CFU/100mL.
- High Risk: Levels exceeding 4,000 CFU/100mL are considered a severe health risk
- Ortho-phosphate is a form of phosphorus that is readily available for biological uptake. It is important for understanding nutrient levels in water bodies, as excessive amounts can lead to algal blooms and eutrophication. By providing a direct measure of bioavailable phosphorus, ortho-phosphate levels help gauge the potential for nutrient pollution.
- Un-ionised ammonia is a toxic form of ammonia present in water.
- The ideal freshwater pH range for optimal aquatic life is generally between 6.5 and 8.5.
- Dissolved oxygen (DO) refers to the amount of oxygen available for aquatic organisms to use.
Security and maintenance:
An important aspect of our role as Friends of Die Oog (FODO) is to engage with the city council and relevant organisations like WESSA for the overall maintenance and improvement of our beautiful City.
We rely heavily on subscriptions and donations, so please feel free to extend an invite to family and friends who may join as well. Annual family membership is only R100. Any additional donations go a long way to help us cover the rising costs of maintenance. We have been able to employ a gardener twice a month, who helps to cut back plant growth on the banks and surrounding garden area of the Die Oog. His work is supplemented by the City Council who help to mow the lawn areas (staffing dependent) once a month and occasionally bring in task forces (on request) to clear overgrowth of invasive plant species from the water surface and the wetland area extending away from the dam towards the M3 highway.
The sanctuary area at the back of Die Oog (nearer Farm’s Edge) is often overlooked by the council teams. Friends of Die Oog committee do try to remind them when we see them working within the designated conservation area.
Membership renewal
If you are unsure of your current membership status please email us at admin@dieoog.org.za. Please click on this link for membership renewal or donations.
Please email us at admin@dieoog.org.za for any questions or if you’d like a copy of the minutes or financial report from the 2025 AGM.
Weed removal
A big thank you to the Girl Guides🏅 for assisting with flyer drop in collaboration with FODO and as their volunteer community service days. A special shout-out to Therese-Anne Goemans for her help in weeding and cleaning up the pathways at Die Oog.
Membership helps us to keep supporting Die Oog
We rely heavily on subscriptions and donations, so please feel free to extend an invite to family and friends who may join as well. Annual family membership is only R100. Any additional donations go a long way to help us cover the rising costs of maintenance and the ability to employ a new gardener for Die Oog.
Please drop us an email to admin@dieoog.org.za if you’d like to purchase a pack of cards. All proceeds are shared between the artist and maintenance and upkeep of the garden areas at Die Oog.
Please support die Oog by ordering some notelets
R60 for a set of 3 with envelopes
PLEASE NOTE
Gate times are daily from
6:30am to 6:30pm.
Best regards from all of us on the Friends of Die Oog committee
Keryn Tsimitakopoulos
Committee member of Friends of Die Oog
