Get on board with river clean-up project

DRIVEN by their passion to keep their rivers clean, local groups, Move One Million, Army Saints and a number of residents are appealing for assistance.

To help continue the project, that was started to rid the Amanzimtoti river of pockets of hyacinth, Sharon Purchase of Move One Million said they are in need of a four/five horse power boat engine.

Purchase said in the past few weeks, they have cleared a bulk manually, working from the river banks and the lagoon. She estimated that it would take a few weeks to clear the mass of hyacinth pockets. This, however, can only be done if they are able to borrow a boat engine.

“What is left is an extremely congested section of about 30 metres from the railway bridge inland. This section is unfortunately totally inaccessible from the banks and we can only break it up and tow it out by boat. We have the boat, grappling hooks, ropes and nets. However, we sadly only have a sneaker motor which is not powerful enough to tow the weight of the hyacinth load,” said Purchase.

She said they have witnessed the return of an amazing variety of bird life in the past few weeks, and with the free-flowing water, the fish and other wildlife should increase in numbers.

Purchase thanked residents from Amanzimtoti and surrounding areas for their continuous support towards this initiative.

To assist, email Purchase at shazpurch@gmail.com.

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