Local NGO commemorates Wetlands month
More than 90 volunteers, community members, and stakeholders formed part of the clean-up in Saulsville, Pretoria West. More than 900 bags of rubbish were removed from the Moganwe River.
Local NGO the Soulbent project recently conducted a clean-up of the Moganwe River in Atteridgeville to honour World Wetlands Day.
February 2 is recognised as World Wetlands Day and it highlights the importance and value of wetlands and their conservation.
More than 90 volunteers, community members and stakeholders were part of the clean-up in Saulsville, Pretoria West.
“More than 900 plastic bags of rubbish were removed from Moganwe River.
“Stakeholders in the clean-up included Petco, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Water and Sanitation, Environmental Affairs, Sanbi and the Tshwane’s Tshwelepele clean-up team,” said Soulbent co-founder Mashudu Makhado.
The benefits of wetlands include filtering pollutants out of waterways, reducing flood risks by holding back water, enhancing well-being, recharging groundwater supplies, food and medicine provision, as well as supporting local economies through fishing and tourism.
“The Soulbent project cleans illegal dumping sites and Moganwe River from Monday to Friday. We focus on recycling, river clean-ups, food gardening, and daycare centres,” Makhado continued.
Tshwane mayor Randall Williams also showed support and appreciation for the NGO’s efforts in a social media post, saying “I want to thank Soulbent Project for their continued work cleaning up our communities”.
Under the theme, “It’s time for wetland restoration” the metro states that there are numerous initiatives planned to commemorate Wetlands month starting with a wetland capacity-building workshop for the community at Ya-Bana Children’s Villiage and then followed up by clean-ups of local wetlands and wetland excursions.
The metro will also target a Winterveldt wetland that has seen vast amounts of degradation due to illegal dumping and the removal of vegetation.
The Soulbent Project conducted over 220 clean-ups last year and intends to keep its momentum going this 2023.
They report that some common items found during the clean-up included dead animals (such as dogs, cats, rats, etc.), vapes, diapers and discarded clothes (including shoes, etc.).
Residents are encouraged to desist from littering, report illegal dumpsites, and assist in caring for the environments that all residents have to live in.
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