HELDERBERG – A storytelling NPO swapped cameras for shovels as Make a Change tackled the polluted Soet River head-on.
Nearly 50 volunteers removed approximately 10 tons of litter during the six-hour clean-up on Saturday 11 April, filling 330 bags with waste.
The organisation was founded by Tyron McKinnon, Andrew Forte and Dean van Schalkwyk in 2020, with the aim of telling the stories of other NPOs through social media. But this time, the organisation became the story by tackling one of Helderberg’s biggest environmental concerns.
The initiative started when Van Schalkwyk simply looked around his community. “I am a resident of Die Bos, which is only two blocks away from the river. I drive down Onverwacht Road five times a week and have been seeing the pollution issues the river has been facing for years,” he explained.
The trio answered a call from the City of Cape Town to tackle issues in their local communities, leading to a three-way partnership for the clean-up series.
The partnership forms part of the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate initiative, which awarded R3,5 million in grant funding to 22 community-based organisations across Cape Town to improve environmental conditions within the communities they serve (“Funding for clean-ups,” DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 18 February).
The projects were selected based on their individual merits, including their ability to address water pollution in priority hotspot areas.
The municipality prioritised practical, short-term interventions that could be implemented between February and June this year.
Saturday’s clean-up targeted the waterway on the border of Lwandle and Strand on the right side of Onverwacht Road, where waste has been accumulating. “The main aim of our first clean was to get the waterway open and return with a much larger volunteer force to remove the rest of the rubble, as well as work at unblocking under the bridge,” said Van Schalkwyk.
“This should bring back flow to the river and help waste make its way into the City litter trap, which is tended five days a week.”
Despite the success, Make a Change believes the Soet River needs more than periodic clean-ups. “I feel there is a lack of education around litter and the impact. There is an impression that the waterway is an easy way to dispose of waste,” said Van Schalkwyk.
He implores those living near waterways to care more about their surroundings, as the problem extends beyond the section they cleaned.
The road to Saturday’s success wasn’t easy. Funding, equipment sponsorship and finding committed volunteers posed challenges.
“We hope our content of this first effort does well so that we can direct individuals to our Back-a-Buddy campaign or to donate directly to our efforts. I also put a call out to other local business owners – if you have the means to help, please do,” he said.
Make a Change will host their second clean-up on Saturday 9 May, followed by the final one on Saturday 13 June.
If you would like to get involved or know more about the initiative, call Van Schalkwyk on 074 193 0011.
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