Mandeni: The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in partnership with uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW), led a community river clean-up at Msuthinja River in Mandeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, in commemoration of World Rivers Day. The event brought together community members, officials from Mandeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), and Msinsi Holdings.
According to South African Government News Agency, World Rivers Day is an annual international event aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting rivers. Founded in 2005, the event, endorsed by the United Nations, raises public awareness about river health and the threats of pollution and over-extraction. This year, World Rivers Day is celebrated today, promoting sustainable water management through education and community action, encouraging activities like river clean-ups and riverside events to foster stewardship for these vital ecosystems.
During the river clean-up held recently, both DWS and UUW emphasized the consequences of disposing of foreign objects into the river. Water Education Specialist from UUW, Dudu Duma, urged the community to be vigilant about polluting the Msuthinja River, as it contributes to the uThukela River where water is extracted for purification. She encouraged community members to protect the river from pollution.
The department highlighted that the province of KwaZulu-Natal has faced challenges in the past, including water supply disruption and water leaks due to vandalism of water infrastructure. ‘The sub-standard treatment of effluence from some of the municipality’s Wastewater Treatment Works also contributes to the contamination of the water courses in the province. It is therefore imperative for the communities not to exacerbate the situation by polluting the water courses that run through their areas,’ Duma said.
The river clean-up activity extended to a public education programme at Sundumbili Plaza Taxi Rank, where community members of different ages were educated about the disadvantages of polluting rivers. ‘The team also visited Sundumbili Primary School, and the message of keeping rivers free from pollution was reiterated. The learners further engaged with the officials on the impact of river pollution and were encouraged to grasp the teachings on the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, which are beneficial in reducing pollution in the air and inside water,’ the department said.