South Africa: Water and Sanitation on Clear Rivers Campaign
The campaign, which is observed annually in July, is a nationwide effort, themed: 'South Africa is a water-scarce country – clean up and protect our water resources,' to encourage communities to take ownership of their local rivers, streams, and wetlands by actively protecting and restoring these essential water ecosystems.
In alignment with Nelson Mandela Month, the campaign promotes hands-on public involvement and aims to strengthen a culture of environmental responsibility and water stewardship across the country.
The Clear Rivers Campaign was first introduced in 2016 as an initiative to inspire action and awareness around the state of South Africa's water resources. Since then, it has grown into a cornerstone movement encouraging communities to dedicate time during the month of July, particularly on Mandela Day, to clean up nearby rivers, streams, wetlands and canals.
Healthy rivers are not only essential for human survival and environmental health, but they are also central to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of communities. In many parts of the country, especially in rural areas, rivers are relied upon for drinking water, cooking, fishing, washing, and sustaining livestock. Indigenous riverbank vegetation also supports wildlife, helps prevent erosion, and provides materials for everyday use and small business crafts.
Rivers hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning for many South Africans. From ancestral rituals to religious ceremonies such as baptism and ceremonial cleansing, clean and accessible rivers are sacred spaces for reflection, healing and heritage. The degradation of these natural sites does not just pollute the environment, it diminishes cultural identity and connection.
Economically, rivers and wetlands are sources of natural materials used to build homes, weave baskets, craft mats, and support local artisanal trades. When managed sustainably, these resources can help strengthen local economies and create pathways to economic resilience and dignity.
Beyond clean-ups, the Clear Rivers Campaign is part of a broader drive to entrench environmental awareness and behavioural change in everyday life. It highlights the need for integrated and inclusive water resource management, where individuals, communities, and institutions work together to protect freshwater systems from pollution, misuse, and neglect.
The Clear Rivers Campaign further seeks to strengthen the country's efforts to promote water security, environmental awareness and behavioural change.
The Department encourages South Africans to take action in their communities, whether by organising river clean-up drives, adopting sections of rivers for long-term care, or educating others on the importance of keeping water ecosystems healthy and pollution-free.
'By taking part in the Clear Rivers Campaign, citizens are not only cleaning rivers, but they are also helping to secure the country's water future, protect biodiversity, and honour the legacy of a leader who believed in collective responsibility. Clean water begins with clean rivers and protecting them is a duty shared by all,' said departmental spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Water and Sanitation on Clear Rivers Campaign
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) urges all South Africans to roll up their sleeves and participate in cleaning polluted rivers as part of the 2025 Clear Rivers Campaign. The campaign, which is observed annually in July, is a nationwide effort, themed: 'South Africa is a water-scarce country – clean up and protect our water resources,' to encourage communities to take ownership of their local rivers, streams, and wetlands by actively protecting and restoring these essential water ecosystems. In alignment with Nelson Mandela Month, the campaign promotes hands-on public involvement and aims to strengthen a culture of environmental responsibility and water stewardship across the country. The Clear Rivers Campaign was first introduced in 2016 as an initiative to inspire action and awareness around the state of South Africa's water resources. Since then, it has grown into a cornerstone movement encouraging communities to dedicate time during the month of July, particularly on Mandela Day, to clean up nearby rivers, streams, wetlands and canals. Healthy rivers are not only essential for human survival and environmental health, but they are also central to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of communities. In many parts of the country, especially in rural areas, rivers are relied upon for drinking water, cooking, fishing, washing, and sustaining livestock. Indigenous riverbank vegetation also supports wildlife, helps prevent erosion, and provides materials for everyday use and small business crafts. Rivers hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning for many South Africans. From ancestral rituals to religious ceremonies such as baptism and ceremonial cleansing, clean and accessible rivers are sacred spaces for reflection, healing and heritage. The degradation of these natural sites does not just pollute the environment, it diminishes cultural identity and connection. Economically, rivers and wetlands are sources of natural materials used to build homes, weave baskets, craft mats, and support local artisanal trades. When managed sustainably, these resources can help strengthen local economies and create pathways to economic resilience and dignity. Beyond clean-ups, the Clear Rivers Campaign is part of a broader drive to entrench environmental awareness and behavioural change in everyday life. It highlights the need for integrated and inclusive water resource management, where individuals, communities, and institutions work together to protect freshwater systems from pollution, misuse, and neglect. The Clear Rivers Campaign further seeks to strengthen the country's efforts to promote water security, environmental awareness and behavioural change. The Department encourages South Africans to take action in their communities, whether by organising river clean-up drives, adopting sections of rivers for long-term care, or educating others on the importance of keeping water ecosystems healthy and pollution-free. 'By taking part in the Clear Rivers Campaign, citizens are not only cleaning rivers, but they are also helping to secure the country's water future, protect biodiversity, and honour the legacy of a leader who believed in collective responsibility. Clean water begins with clean rivers and protecting them is a duty shared by all,' said departmental spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
Eritrea: Extensive Water and Soil Conservation Activities
Residents of nine administrative areas and 35 villages in the Halhal sub-zone of Anseba Region are conducting extensive water and soil conservation activities. Mr. Yasin Mohammed-Idris, head of the agriculture office in the sub-zone, reported that the popular campaign, which began in January, includes the construction of terraces, water catchment schemes, and road renovation. Mr. Yasin noted that so far, 518,466 meters of terraces have been constructed on arable land. Commending the strong participation of the residents in the campaign, Mr. Girmatsion Abraha, administrator of the sub-zone, stated that the water and soil conservation activities will significantly contribute to boosting agricultural production and controlling soil erosion. The residents, for their part, expressed readiness to continue their active participation until the start of the rainy season. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Zawya
South Africa: Sowing the seeds of food security
Observed annually on 28 May, World Hunger Day is a global call to action to raise awareness and inspire efforts to end hunger. Responding to this call, the central team from Libstar, a leading South African producer and distributor of consumer packaged goods, rolled up their sleeves to plant a winter crop and some fruit trees at the Ravensmead Educare Centre, reaffirming their commitment to long-term food security. The new plantings build on the success of a summer crop sowed by the team on World Food Day in October 2024. That harvest has already contributed significantly to the community's nutritional needs. The initiative, facilitated through local non-profit The Sprightly Seed, forms part of Libstar's broader mission to support under-resourced communities through sustainable food gardening and nutrition education. Sustainable gardening to feed more families The garden at the Ravensmead Educare Centre yields approximately 85kg of fresh produce per season, which translates into over 4,000 nutritious meals. With the addition of the winter crop, the centre expects to serve more than 7,000 additional meals to at least 135 children over the next six months. 'As a food business, addressing hunger is core to our purpose,' said Charl de Villiers, CEO at Libstar. 'This initiative is about more than just planting crops – it's about planting hope, restoring dignity, and creating sustainable solutions to hunger. Supporting food security and nutrition is a key pillar of our CSI strategy, and we are proud to walk this journey alongside our committed partners.' The Ravensmead Educare Centre, a GROW Early Learning programme participant, plays a vital role in the local community by providing both early childhood education and daily meals to families in need. Principal Sarah Strauss expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership: 'We are deeply thankful for the continued support from Libstar and The Sprightly Seed. Their commitment goes beyond the garden – it helps ensure our learners are well-fed and gives us the means to support even more families during the tough winter months.' Building resilience through regenerative agriculture Founded by human development specialist Jade Orgill, The Sprightly Seed specialises in regenerative agriculture and building community resilience. 'Our partnership with Libstar empowers resource-scarce communities to take ownership of their food systems. We're not only growing vegetables – we're growing knowledge, skills, and confidence. That's what sustainable food security looks like, commented Orgill.
