The Zeekoe !Xubi festival (a name chosen through a community co-creation process) was hosted on 20 June 2026 at the Zeekoevlei Yacht Club. The festival brought together local residents and varied stakeholders to promote an active citizenry around water-related issues in the Big and Little Lotus Rivers (the main tributaries in the Zeekoevlei catchment). The co-design process and the festival itself raised awareness of water-related problems identified by stakeholders across the broader catchment area (from Zeekoevlei up to Gugulethu). The festival covered perspectives on history, the natural environment, human-environment relationships, service delivery, recreation, and livelihoods - with water quality and water pollution in the catchment being the common thread. 

In the three months leading up to the festival, Awehness consulted with researchers, City officials, local residents and businesses, and held workshops on eco-poetry, documentary photography, zine-making and watercolours, which all featured in the festival.

The festival included live music and open-mic, an informative exhibition with photography and artworks, a food market and goods market, art workshops and a guided tour of the Zeekoevlei area.

“Everything about the day was fab. Thanks to the team for your amazing effort. My 85 year old mother was moved and delighted, especially by the ceremonies”