Earth day celebration receives massive support in Centurion

More than 100 Pretoria residents participated in the clean-up campaign in celebration of World Earth Day in Centurion on Thursday.

The campaign, aimed at restoring the polluted Hennops river, saw more residents, various government departments, non-profit organisations (NPOs) and businesses joining project leaders of the Hennops Revival non-profit organisation to remove toxic waste along a stretch of the river.

“The massive support from residents, government, NPOs and businesses means people are starting to take the Hennops Revival more seriously now,” Hennops Revival founder, Tarryn Johnston, told Rekord.

Hennops Revival has been involved in the continuous Hennops river clean-up campaigns for several years.

“I made a commitment to clean up every two weeks. I am happy that the project has grown to this magnitude.”

She said their organisation had also formed a partnership with experts in a bid to find a possible solution to the water contamination problem.

“We are working with scientists and microbiologists who test water samples on a weekly basis to see what is in the water and how it can be remediated.”

One of the volunteers, Doris Esakov, said it was important for her to participate in the event because she cared about the environment.

She encouraged people to embark on clean-up campaigns such as cleaning their pavements to make a difference in their communities.

Ward 78 councillor Peter Sutton said it was encouraging to witness a huge turnout of residents.

The Tshwane metro was extensively involved in the project through the mayoral initiative the Tswelopelo clean-up campaign.

The Tshwane metro campaign is aimed at encouraging volunteerism and instilling a sense of pride in neighbourhoods and the environment with the specific goal of inspiring communities and businesses to take charge of their natural environment.

“It is encouraging to see so many people cleaning to make a difference,” Sutton said.

He said it was important for people to do introspection about the role they play in polluting the river.

“I always ask myself when I pick up rubbish at the river, how did this get here?

“I think if we are honest, we should admit that the municipality did not put it here but we as people put it here.”

He said they (Tshwane metro) identified several factors contributing to the water pollution problem including poor water treatment plants, massive informal settlements next to the river, recycling people and blocked sewerage drains next to the river.

“Some of the sources of the problem are quick to resolve but others are complex and will take time to resolve.”

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