Community rallies behind Amanzimtoti River clean-up

The ducks are swimming and the aquatic life is thriving following another successful clean-up of the Amanzimtoti River was held on Sunday, 7 March. Tons of water hyacinth that has engulfed Amanzimtoti River was removed and there is a visible improvement to the river. While only a few residents turned up for the clean-up, the sheer determination and perseverance of them remained.

“It is incredible to see what we can accomplish with a little hard work,” said Shaun Callaghan, who initiated the clean-up.

The abundance of water hyacinth, which is an invasive alien plant that can reduce the oxygen in the water and kill fish, is covering most of the river. Shaun with the numerous residents who have came on-board for the clean-up remain committed to ridding the river of the invasive plants.

“We are planning another clean-up next Sunday and we encourage the community to come forward. The community can clean-up at any time they want. We also require some strong people to get onto boats to unplug the water hyacinth from the lagoon. Once the plants are removed we pull them on to the bank and we require someone to dispose of them properly.”

Members of Move one Million, Amanzimtoti Saints, Amanzimtoti Rugby Club, Working For Water Howick, Clean Surf Project, Amanzimtoti Cricket Club, Lasher Tools and several other individuals and sponsors came forward for the clean-up.

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