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Clean streams, stronger communities

Clean Streams, Stronger Communities: Together for a River Clean-Up Success 

The Mpola River sparkled a little brighter after a day of collective action during the recent Adopt-a-River Clean-Up Campaign, hosted by the Institute of Natural Resources (INR) and WWF through the WWF Sappi partnership project. This community-driven event organised by WWF-SAPPI Water Stewardship citizen scientists brought together community volunteers, Envirochamps from Liberty NPO, and representatives from uMngeni-uThukela Water, KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and University of KwaZulu-Natal. Together they supported the communities in the Nguga, Sawongo area to restore the streams and river health.

This insight from the citizen scientist emphasizes a crucial connection between community actions and broader environmental impacts. Cleaning streams not only maintains their ecological health but also ensures the functionality of municipal water treatment systems, which are vital for communities downstream, like those at Nzinga. Litter and debris in streams can clog treatment facilities, particularly after rainfall events when water flow carries waste downstream, disrupting water supply.

The day was abuzz with activity as the nearly 30 volunteers put on gloves, sturdy shoes, and big smiles, working together to remove litter and debris from the riverbanks. While the ward committee representative led a door to door campaign with households next to the river; encouraging them to refrain from dumping into the river. Covering nearly 1 km of this winding tributary to the Nzinga River, 39 bags of waste were cleared, collected and properly disposed by the Impendle Local Municipality, making an immediate impact on the river’s health.

Participants also learned about local river ecology, with experts explaining the importance of clean waterways for biodiversity, community resilience, and water quality. Ms. Xolisile Nkala, an enthusiastic volunteer from Nguga, emphasized, “The debris and litter block the water at the bottom of the river, so it is important to be cleaning up the stream. We need to arrange workshops and meetings to educate people on waste (mis)management.”

Beyond the hard work, the event was a celebration of community spirit. Conversations flowed as freely as the river itself, with participants discussing ideas for recycling and waste management solutions to protect their natural resources.

By the end of the day, there was a shared sense of accomplishment and a renewed commitment to sustaining the health of local waterways. This collaborative effort was a powerful reminder that small actions, when taken together, can lead to significant change.

A heartfelt Thank You goes out to everyone who joined and got their hands dirty, proving that we all have a role to play as stewards of our environment. Together, in just a few hours, we made a difference. Let’s keep the momentum going in 2025!