After two and a half years at the helm of the Soet River Catchment Management Forum (CMF), chairperson Dave Walker is stepping down to relocate to Langebaan.

His departure marks the end of a highly collaborative chapter aimed at restoring one of the area’s vital waterways, drawing widespread praise from local government and community members alike.

Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, led the tributes, thanking Walker for leaving behind a remarkable environmental and social legacy.

“Dave’s legacy along the Soet River is remarkable,” said Badroodien. “From daily river wardens on Onverwacht Road stopping illegal dumping to securing grant funding for community dumping sites, this is what community leadership looks like. His impact lives on.”

Walker’s journey began in 2024 when he was appointed chairperson during a poorly attended CMF meeting (“New forum to improve Soet River water quality,” DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 13 November 2024).

His motivation, however, was born on the roads running alongside the river itself.

“When I drove through the length of the river, through Lwandle and Asanda Village, the condition made me sad,” Walker recalled. “I knew we had to do something, and the best way was to work with the City of Cape Town instead of against them.”

This philosophy of strategic partnership became the cornerstone of his term. Rather than getting bogged down in bureaucracy or finger-pointing, Walker focused on finding actionable solutions and directing municipal departments to where they were needed most.

While Walker acknowledges the process was often difficult and far from perfect, the slow and steady approach yielded significant victories.

Among the most notable achievements of his term include the installation of a litter cage interceptor at the corner of Boundary and Onverwacht roads, which dramatically reduced downstream waste.

He also championed a highly successful nanobubble and remediation pond project at the Greenways Golf Estate, funded entirely by local residents, and he was fundamental in securing grant funding to for the appointment of river wardens for a term and regular post-rain beach clean-ups with local volunteers.

Reflecting on his tenure, Walker spoke candidly about the socio-economic challenges facing the river’s upper reaches.

He noted that downstream areas are far easier to manage than upstream zones, where systemic poverty directly impacts the environment.

“People in the townships are poor, living in small shacks with no space to keep refuse in their houses or backyards,” Walker explained.

“As a result, it ends up dumped illegally. I thought if I worked with the City, they would come to the party. While it has been slow, we have absolutely seen improvements. It looks a bit better than before.”

Walker was quick to share the credit for these improvements, praising the volunteers and residents of Rusthof and Allan Boesak Village, who consistently showed up to do the heavy lifting.

“A lot of thanks must also go to Plastics SA, Oasis, Making A Change, Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement and the Litter Boom Project,” he said.

As Walker prepares for his lifestyle change in Langebaan, he leaves behind a clear roadmap for his successor and a plea to the broader community.

“People must come to the meetings,” Walker urged. “You can’t just complain; action goes a long way. People get emotional about these issues, but we have to keep emotions out of it and focus on solutions.”

Looking ahead, Walker hopes the City will build on his foundation by installing second and third litter cages, increasing the frequency of refuse collection in vulnerable areas, and officially appointing designated “river rangers”.

“I hope to see the river restored to its full glory – with benches on the side and kids playing next to the water. That would be a dream come true. I am sad to leave, but I hope this river ultimately benefits everyone.”