Volunteers removed what organisers estimate to be 15 tons of illegal rubbish from the Soet River in Strand during a massive clean-up operation involving more than 200 people last Wednesday (1 October).
The Soet River Catchment Management Forum (CFM) initiative was conducted in collaboration with the City of Cape Town, with various local NPOs, councillors, environmental protection groups and municipal workers answering the call for volunteers.
We had more than 100 community members and an additional 100 City workers help with the clean-up
said Dave Walker, Soet River CFM chairperson.
He said volunteers covered 22 km along the river, removing an estimated 3 500 to 4 000 bags of waste from an area that “has become a dumping ground and leaves a stench”.
The clean-up focused mainly on the grassy riverbank at the corner of Boundary and Onverwacht roads in Rusthof. Chantal Cerfontein, Ward 85 councillor and Subcouncil 8 chairperson, also participated in the initiative.
“From my side, I want to thank each and every organisation, especially the schools that came out and assisted us here today,”she said.
Despite the strong turnout, Cerfontein expressed disappointment that local Rusthof residents did not participate in the clean-up of their own area.
She has faced ongoing tensions with residents over river pollution issues, recently walking out of a community meeting where residents raised health concerns about sewage stench and demanded urgent intervention for the Soet River.
During those heated exchanges, she claimed her attempts to organise community clean-up operations “always fall on deaf ears” (“Soet River canal meeting chaos“, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 25 September).
At last week’s successful clean-up, among the participating organisations was Oasis “Reach for your Dreams” Helderberg, which has been conducting weekly clean-ups along the river since August last year. The organisation trains marginalised youth and homeless persons in safe clean-up practices, while also hosting community awareness drives.
We want to do more than just clean the rivers – we want to educate our communities to take responsibility, because these are our communities and we must keep them clean
said Gertruida Hendricks, manager at Oasis.
Reflecting on the day’s success, Walker has requested that the City install clear signage prohibiting dumping near the river to deter future illegal dumping.
“I am grateful for everyone who came to help and clean up the river, because illegal littering is an injustice that affects all of us,” Walker concluded, urging more residents to get involved by attending the next CFM meeting on Tuesday 14 October.
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