Just when residents thought Lonehill Dam was finally winning the war against invasive plants, nature decided to throw a plot twist.

The Kariba weed is back, sprouting cheerfully where the red fern once ruled. And with the rains, it blooms even greener than ever. This comeback follows weeks of clean-up efforts, including the removal of the red fern and water purification using eco-granules.

Read more: Lonehill Dam bounces back from aggressive plant invasions

But it seems the dam can’t catch a break as one weed retreats; another seizes the spotlight. Environmental specialist, Nadeem Abrahams from the Lonehill Residents Association said, “Yes, it’s like when the other one gets overpowered through the clean-up efforts, it becomes a chance for the other to dominate.”

Isaac Maphuma, who works for the association and has been dedicated to removing the weeds, isn’t surprised by the dam’s ongoing ‘weed wars.’ Having witnessed enough invasions, he knows it’s a revolving door.

But still, the association said it remains committed to monitoring and restoring balance to the dam’s fragile ecosystem.
“We won’t give up cleaning it until we finally get a permanent solution.”

Also read: Craigavon residents unite for proof-of-concept clean-up project

Abrahams said the problem lies with water quality, which needs to be resolved. He said there’s been a frequent leak of sewage into the dam, which also contributes to the problem.

“It’s nearly impossible to remove the weeds completely, as many remain trapped among the reeds and resurface whenever conditions allow.”

When asked if the red fern could make a comeback, he admitted there’s a good chance it might. “It’s not a simple task. It’s an ongoing process until we can fully restore the water quality. At the moment, we’re cleaning the dam manually using nets, water pumps, and a skimmer that removes the weeds.”

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