‘Why do rivers matter? Rivers are the lifeblood of the city with so many layers of meaning. This city’s destiny is dependent on how it manages its water’ so says the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

eThekwini Municipality considers riverine management essential because its riverine areas ‘are providers of life-giving services, such as fresh water and spaces for recreation and spiritual activities’. The City’s Sihlanzimvelo Stream Cleaning Programme illustrates how important well-managed rivers are for managing the risks of climate change. Work done by eThekwini with the C40 Cities Finance Facility makes the case for investment in riverine management as a way to enhance the quality of river ecosystems, and protect society against the effects of climate change, thereby increasing the resilience of the city.