More than 400kg of litter has been removed from the Bottelary River through community-led clean-up efforts supported by the City of Cape Town.

The initiative, driven by the Eerste Kuils River Catchment Management Forum (EKRCMF), is helping to improve river health while educating residents and learners about the importance of preventing pollution and protecting local waterways.

The EKRCMF is one of four catchment management forums supported by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate to help reduce water pollution and strengthen community involvement in protecting rivers and urban waterways. Through this support, the forum has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at improving river health and environmental awareness.

Eco Warrior Challenge gains momentum

The Eco Warrior Challenge was launched for primary and high schools as a competition, with prizes awarded to the top three participants based on the weight of litter collected and the distribution of the City’s ‘Bin it, Don’t Block It’ educational material.

Soneike High School and a local family have have made a significant contribution to the initiative thus far. Already, 380 educational pamphlets have been distributed, potentially reaching more than 1 500 residents.

The campaign has also included three community clean-ups along the Bottelary River, resulting in the removal of 416,96kg of litter from the environment. Volunteers collected 72 bags of waste during the clean-ups, helping to improve river conditions while encouraging greater community involvement in protecting local waterways.

River wardens and greening initiatives

Three river wardens have been recruited through a dedicated WhatsApp group. These volunteers will serve as additional eyes and ears on the ground, reporting illegal dumping, pollution and other environmental concerns along the river corridor.

Ten indigenous olive trees have been planted along the Bottelary River to support greening and rehabilitation efforts.

A proposed Fynbos Life Circle has also been developed for the area, incorporating upcycled plastic benches, a designated pathway for dog walkers and their pets, and solar-powered lighting to encourage safe recreational use.

Soneike Mall also provided free access to its main forecourt for a three-day awareness campaign, enabling the forum to engage directly with residents and increase visibility for river protection efforts.

Young people leading by example

The City’s Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, praised the initiative and its impact on environmental awareness. “The City of Cape Town continues to support community-driven initiatives that help protect and restore our rivers and wetlands. The success of the Eco Warrior Challenge shows that young people can be powerful ambassadors for environmental stewardship.

“We encourage more schools to participate in future challenges and river conservation projects, helping to build a generation of environmentally conscious residents while making a real difference to the health of our waterways,” he said.

EKRCMF chairperson Anthony van Rhyn said the organisation was grateful for the City’s support. “The funding has enabled us to establish a strong identity for the campaign through branding, awareness and community engagement initiatives, while also building valuable partnerships with stakeholders.

“The results achieved to date demonstrate the potential of these programmes, and additional funding would allow us to expand sustainable projects such as alien invasive clearing, eco-tourism initiatives and the establishment of permanent River Wardens,” he said.

Final clean-up event planned

The EKRCMF’s final clean-up event will take place on 27 and 28 June and will include a camp-over experience.

The first clean-up will be held at Majik Forest on Saturday 27 June, followed by a second event at the Door De Kraal Dams on Sunday 28 June.

Residents interested in participating can email catchmentforum@eerstekuilsrivier.org for more information.

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