A fisherman’s tale on the deteriorating state of the Westdene Dam
David Dumakude delivers his take on the state of the Westdene Dam as litter and waste continue to pollute the body of water.
Fisherman and clean-up volunteer David Dumakude said that he had been involved in the voluntary conservation and cleaning up of the Westdene Dam for five years, and it was a place he called home; however, he was sad to see the state of the dam deteriorate over the years.
Also read: Pollution and sewage threaten Westdene’s waterways
Regularly fishing at the dam, he noted that he goes out on the water to remove litter.
He said that the litter and raw sewage threaten the fish in the dam and the wildlife around it. “They [fish and wildlife] are important in ensuring a healthy ecosystem, because they contribute to ensuring that the dam water is naturally cleaned.”
Also read: Lilly cleanups at the completed Emmarentia Upper Dam Rehabilitation project
Dumakude highlighted that community members who also take care of the well-being of the dam have been trying for years to put pressure on the city to intervene in its the deterioration.
The publication continues to follow up with the City of Johannesburg Environmental and Infrastructure Department for comment on the dam, and will provide updates once made available.
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