Rehabilitating the river
DOUGLASDALE – The corner of Platina and Juweel roads in Jukskei Park was abuzz with activity on 28 March as an army of Green Beings, City Council representatives and residents took to Klein Jukskei Park to pick up litter, clear debris from the river banks and to remove alien vegetation.
“What we’re trying to do here today is get businesses, community members, residents’ associations and stakeholders in the community together down by the river to spend some time in their local natural areas,” said Green Beings representative, Roxy Lourens. She elaborated by saying that they want to develop citizens who are passionate and active in their communities.
“We want to replicate this River Rehab model further throughout Joburg,” Lourens continued. “We are looking for residents who want to become ‘champions’ of similar projects in their areas.”
These ‘champions’ will then receive all the necessary equipment and services they need to complete these projects, in turn getting their own communities involved. Green Beings are hoping to, in future, arrange these projects to fall on the same day. “We want big, collective River Rehabs happening all over Joburg.”
Ward 115 councillor Chris Santana also took part in the morning’s clean-up activities, bringing his two sons to lend a helping hand. Santana praised Green Beings for the community initiative, which forms part of the ward’s ‘Save our Parks’ campaign, and also expressed his gratitude for the businesses who sponsored the event.
“We have set up a petition for all residents whose properties are affected by the rivers, stormwater servitudes and river tributes, to sign the petition and get behind Ward 115 in its efforts to get the greenbelt areas cleaned,” stated Santana.
He feels the City is not doing its part in this regard and that immediate action needs to be taken to save the ward’s natural resources from complete deterioration due to a lack of maintenance.
“If the City fails to get this issue addressed,” Santana warned, “we will be going to the public prosecutor in order to begin proceedings for class action against the City of Joburg to force them to clean-up our rivers.”
If there are residents living along the rivers in Ward 115 who want to get involved and sign the petition, they are welcome to contact Santana.
Details: www.ward115.co.za
Can you identify other part of the Jukskei River that is in dire need of maintenance? Let us know be emailing us at fourwaysr@caxton.co.za
