Updated September 8, 2025: The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) provided updates on the progress of the multi-million-rand Clanwilliam dam project. The department, led by the Acting Deputy Director-General for Infrastructure Management, Mr Livhuwani Mabuda provided an update to the the Western Cape Provincial Government and the members of the Council of Provinces. The project’s scope is to raise dam wall level and is part of the departmental commitment to transparency and accountability. The almost R6 billion project, is a significant investment in the West Coast Region. Moreover, it is a project that is planned to be completed in May 2029. It involves raising the dam by 13 metres and this will almost triple its water yield and bring economic spinoffs for the region. The main beneficiaries will be local farmers, households and emerging farmers. During the construction phase, the project is expected to generate substantial economic opportunities for regional entrepreneurs.
Mr Mabuda briefed the delegation on the progress made with regard the engineering work of raising the dam wall and this include:
- Overall progress of raising the dam wall that is at 26%
- That the current main focus is on the intake coffer wall
DWS further provided update on the recent release of water to lower the levels of Clanwilliam Dam from 95% to 75%, that kickstarted late July. This is after heavy rains which affected the construction work on site. The decision to reduce the dam level was necessary to enable the construction of the coffer wall, which supports the erection of the 56-metre-high intake tower situated upstream of the dam wall. The intake tower is a critical component of the project and lies on its critical path. Its construction involves 18 months of excavation work, followed by 20 months of tower construction, totalling 38 months. The dam is gradually taking shape and is one of the megadam projects being carried out in Southern Africa, with the Lesotho Highlands Water Project also picking up pace.
November 6, 2023: The revival of the Clanwilliam Dam engineering project has sparked optimism among communities along the West Coast corridor. This positive development follows a recent oversight visit by South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, to the construction site at Clanwilliam Dam. This ambitious initiative also includes extending the dam wall downstream and elevating it by 13 meters. The additional water capacity generated by these changes holds the promise of supporting resource-poor farmers, promoting food security, and creating employment opportunities for the local community. Minister Mchunu expressed the utmost priority of his department in overcoming past project setbacks and ensuring its successful completion. The increased water yield from this infrastructure is expected to significantly benefit the livelihoods of people in the region.
Construction cost for the Clanwilliam Dam Project
The project, with a budget of R4 billion, is located on the Olifants River near Clanwilliam in the Cederberg Local Municipality. It stands as one of the largest government infrastructure investments in the Western Cape. The primary focus of this endeavor is to raise the dam wall by an impressive 13 meters, with R400 million allocated for the current fiscal year to move the project forward.
He pointed out that the current dam yields around 123 million cubic meters of water, but when the project is finished, it is projected to yield approximately 343 million cubic meters, nearly doubling the current capacity.
Speaking to stakeholders and residents, Minister Mchunu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, emphasizing the importance of quality water supply to South African households. He highlighted the formation of a dedicated management team for the Clanwilliam Dam project, ensuring its successful revival and completion.
Mchunu acknowledged past delays but assured that the department is dedicated to finishing the project within the revised timelines, budgets, and specifications. The benefits of this project are not limited to the improved water supply; it also offers more than 500 job opportunities and skill development, benefiting the local community and boosting the region’s agricultural sector.
Tertuis Simmers, Western Cape Infrastructure MEC, welcomed the project’s revival and noted its potential to accelerate hydro-energy projects and support agriculture in the West Coast corridor. He stressed the commitment of all government spheres and the private sector to the project’s successful delivery.
Local business stakeholders, like Francois Swaartbooi, expressed renewed hope with the revival of the project and established a business forum to ensure local small and medium enterprises benefit from this endeavor. The current construction work includes excavation preparations and geologist inspections, marking a significant step forward in this ambitious project.
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