Volunteers restore life to a forgotten stream in the north

A group of determined volunteers recently gathered behind Wonderpark Mall in the north of Pretoria not just to pick up litter, but to revive a forgotten lifeline.

The clean-up marked the beginning of a deeper commitment to restore the streams that feed the Apies River and Bon Accord Dam, water sources in the north that have long suffered human neglect.

With the assistance of local business and the Department of Water and Sanitation, volunteers united to clean the river and reclaim this vital natural resource for future generations.

According to community member Kefentse Molekoa, the most critical task was the removal of alien plant species that have slowly choked the river’s natural flow.

Molekoa said the Bugweed and the Lantana plant species have drained large amounts of water from the river, depleting its capacity to nourish surrounding ecosystems.

“These plants thrive at the expense of native vegetation, disrupting the natural balance.

“Over time, this leads to less water flow, decreased groundwater recharge, and a deteriorating water quality,” said Molekoa.

The volunteers understood that eliminating these invasive species was not just an environmental obligation. but a fight to give the river back its ability to “breathe”.

Molekoa said invasive species were not the only issue plaguing the stream, the most visible threat being the piles of solid waste along the waterway.

He said liquor bottles, plastic bags and household items such as mats, clothes, and pillows contributed to the dirtiness of the stream.

“What made the clean-up special wasn’t just the removal of waste, but the stark revelation that this waterway, which feeds into the Apies River, was in a poor ecological state.

“The water clarity tests revealed high pollution levels, which raised concerns about upstream sources of contamination.”

He said the volunteers discovered a sewer manhole that frequently overflows into the stream, further exacerbating the pollution problem.

“The river clean-up wasn’t just about making the stream look better, it was about taking control of the future of local water resources.

“The department helped us learn how to test the stream’s health, using citizen science tools and these tools allowed us to monitor water quality, velocity, and the overall riparian health of the river.”

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