Hennops River cleaned on Earth Day
"Nothing can live in this water, it is simply too polluted and toxic," says Lucien James, a PhD student from Wits University.
Concerned citizens of Centurion, in partnership with various NPOs and businesses, celebrated Earth Day with a clean-up at the Hennops Park last week.
Clear skies and warm temperatures made Friday, April 23, the perfect day for these citizens to join hands in an attempt to restore the park to its former glory.
The primary concern was a brook that runs opposite the park. Water from this brook runs into the Hennops and it is therefore essential to keep it clean from pollution and refuse.
Unfortunately, the banks of the brook are littered with refuse and the water is polluted with chemicals.
Tarryn Johnson, the founder of the Hennops Revival Project, spearheaded the initiative and was very glad about the turnout.
“It’s good to see that people are waking up to the situation we are facing.
“The Hennops River is in a disastrous situation and people really need to take action,” said Johnson.
Ward councillor Tanya Strydom was also present.
“We need to invest in our planet – it’s the only one we have and we need to take care of it with that in mind,” said Strydom.
“Personally, I think every day should be Earth Day and active citizenship should really be encouraged.
“We have recently seen a lot of flooding due to blockages in the Hennops River and it should come as a major concern to us all.”
On Friday, citizens split into groups and made their way down the river, picking up any refuse and collecting it in plastic bags.
They also lifted tree canopies blocking the water and removed alien plants and weeds, and placed bird feeders in some of the surrounding trees.
Lucien James, a PhD student from Wits University, said the water in the Hennops is too polluted to sustain any kind of life.
“We have done many tests on the water and the results are extremely bad.
“Nothing can live in this water, it is simply too polluted and toxic,” James said.
“I want to bring the voice of the people forward so that government can realise what’s going on in this river.
“My team and I also want to find ways of formulating a sustainable system of community involvement,” he said.
ALSO READ: Hennops Revival dedicated to saving the river
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