Latest news with #ClearRiversCampaign
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Winterveld residents urged to stop dumping waste in the Tolwane River
Department of Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo leads a river clean-up programme at the Tolwane River in Winterveld, as part of the month-long Clear Rivers Campaign by the department. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers Residents of Winterveld are being urged to stop dumping solid waste, including diapers, old blankets, plastics, and shrubs, into the Tolwane River, which runs through the township, to prevent water pollution. The call was made by Department of Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo during a clean-up campaign themed 'South Africa is a water-scarce country – clean up and protect our water resources' held on Monday. The initiative is part of the department's annual month-long Clear Rivers Campaign, held in July, which coincides with Mandela Month celebrations. The event was conducted in partnership with stakeholders and community members, raising awareness about the importance of protecting water resources for a sustainable future and environmental preservation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Seitlholo highlighted that Gauteng's water is severely polluted, largely due to untreated or partially treated sewage flowing from water treatment facilities into rivers, tributaries, and ultimately dams. He said mining industries, particularly through acid mine drainage, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activities, are significant contributors to the pollution. 'It has become the responsibility of the Department of Water and Sanitation to come and communicate and place awareness on the crisis that we are facing and that is the pollution crisis,' he said. He mentioned that Gauteng's municipalities are responsible for discharging approximately 1.5 million litres of sewage daily into water resources, resulting in severe pollution. Seitlholo cited Vaal River, which is heavily infested with water hyacinth, as an example of water resources affected by pollution. 'We are finding a situation where the Vaalkop Dam in the North West, as well as the Boschkop Dam, have got 95% and 100% coverage of alien invasive species, water salvinia, and water hyacinth, respectively. These alien invasive species take up a lot of our water,' he said. He said the dire state of water resources is a major crisis in the country that is being overlooked. He noted that while people protest when water is not coming out of their taps, they rarely do so when sewage contaminates rivers and dams. 'Everybody is so fixated on the water from the taps, forgetting that there is the beginning of the value chain, and if we don't take care of the beginning of the value chain, then we are placing the security of the final product of the value chain at risk,' he said. Ward 19 Councillor Maqaleni Mazibuko expressed gratitude towards the department for identifying the area for the clean-up campaign. He said the event provides an opportunity for locals to understand the importance of water circulation and learn about the entire value chain that delivers water to their taps. He said many people will benefit most from the campaign because it highlighted the importance of taking care of water. Concern was raised about people consuming water directly from the river due to shortages, posing potential health risks. Mazibuko said: 'That thing is very problematic because at some point, our City of Tshwane fails to fix sewers in time, and some of the raw sewage is flowing directly into the river. I think from today, we are going to get a solution as to how we ensure that our water remains purified.'
Zawya
02-07-2025
- General
- 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.
