24 FEBRUARY 2023
On Saturday 18 February 2023, eco-club school learners, farmers, community members and water activists in Mfuleni and Makhaza led a mass clean-up of parts of the Kuils River Catchment Area to highlight the deterioration of local waterways, wetlands, and green areas – highlighting the severe environmental health impacts it has on the surrounding communities, land and animals.[1] The schools that joined the clean-up included Fairdale 1 and 2 High Schools, Manzomthombo Senior Secondary School, Bardale High School and Mfuleni Technical Academy.
With the support of Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) and 11th[2] Hour Racing Team – the American offshore sailing team competing in The Ocean Race – the communities in Mfuleni and Makhaza aim to demonstrate their willingness and ability to work with government and partners to sustain clean and safe green spaces, rivers, wetlands and farming areas.
According to EMG’s Siya Myeza, “Our school learners and their educators are negatively affected by the degradation of their local green spaces. The waste and litter around the school is unpleasant, it creates air pollution and can contribute to ill health. It is here, in places like Mfuleni and Makhaza, where you can see clearly that South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world, because you see a lack of basic services impeding on your constitutional right to environmental health. The inequality in terms of environmental health, access to clean and safe water and sanitation housing, water and waste management services is hard to ignore.”
Community cleaning crews selected the clean-up locations closest to them: the wetlands opposite Bardale High in Makhaza, Burundi in Mfuleni and the Khayelitsha Wetlands Park – a once thriving green hub for the community.
He says, “South Africa is also a hotspot for climate change, which will only increase inequality, as access to water and healthy food becomes more limited. And it will be communities like Mfuleni and Makhaza who will feel the impacts of global climate change the most. As temperatures rise and droughts become more frequent, how will these communities be able to cope with the water shortages? Ecosystems need to be strong and resilient to adapt to the extreme weather events associated with climate change. This is why it is critical that we maintain and protect our current water sources. And while illegal dumping is an issue that is further compounded by industrial pollution, the severe lack of services in these areas from the City of Cape Town, is also problematic.”
Grade 10 pupil at Fairdale 1 High School Ntuthuko Phahlindlela says, “The dirt and rubbish in our rivers limit how we as children play around and in it because it is not safe for us because of the germs that could cause us to fall sick. I think it is important for us, as young people, to participate in such activities as they help educate us about the ways in which we can create natural, environmentally friendly products on top of giving us an opportunity to do good in our communities, for a cleaner environment.”
EMG project manager Apiwe Mdunyelwa works with the local eco-clubs. She says, “We need improved water governance that is participatory and willing to develop localised solutions, based on indigenous knowledge systems and local research. We need to get the Kuils River Catchment Management Forum going were communities and government work together. The water should be tested regularly to ensure cleanliness and that the diversity of ecosystems is maintained.”
After the site clean-ups, the communities gathered for an event at the Khayelitsha Wetlands Park. Local ward councillor Lucky Mbiza and Mayoral Committee member Siseko Mbandezi were there and appealed to the community to assist efforts to stop illegal dumping.
Mpumi Mhlalisi of the Western Cape Water Caucus says, “Events like this clean-up, is clear evidence that our communities are full of people who care about environmental health, and protecting green areas and water bodies, from school youth, water activists, farmers, traditional and religious practitioners, and even sportspeople. It is great to see the young people take action to address the problems that affect their wellbeing and that of their communities. The local government seem to be uninformed and lack knowledge about the conditions that communities live in, especially in informal settlements. There are no sanitation and solid waste management services – the infrastructure and services do not exist for communities to manage their waste. This is why we find so much illegal dumping. Communities cannot do this alone. We need the support of our local government. Not only do we need improved waste and sanitation services, and improved infrastructure but we also need education strategies which to reduce illegal dumping and improve environmental health.”
Ntombikayise Dondi from the urban farmer collective Igalelo Labafazi in Makhaza Khayelitsha was at the gathering, selling some of her organic crops that she produces at her plot next to Sinako High School, and engaging with the community about her farm and healthy food. She says, “Local government must take care of all of us because, as they say “The City works for you”, it should also include those who are poor. When we report about the drain and toilet blockages or that our drinking water becomes brownish, and when the water management devices cut off our supply. It is hard to know where to go and to get assistance from the City when our calls go unanswered because we do our part by reporting what is happening.”
Dondi adds, “In December last year I stayed in Sea Point, and I was shocked to see solid waste trucks collecting waste twice a day in one road! Here in Makhaza we are lucky if see that truck once every 2 weeks, by which time everyone’s bins are already overflowing. The City must improve its services to our communities. We also need improved maintenance of old water infrastructure – maybe we need new pipes, by now?”
As a farmer she says her biggest challenge is securing access to land with a tenure agreement that will allow the farming production to thrive. She says, “To be able to continue growing nutritious organic food that is fairly priced and accessible to my communities, local government must assist us with water access and security, because I cannot use municipal water to grow the food crops. The Department of Agriculture has assisted us with well points, but this water infrastructure has also not been maintained.”
11th Hour Racing Team is supporting EMG through its legacy grantee program, with funds to support EMG's initiative for communities near and around the Kuils River catchment area, focusing on water access and quality, and service delivery and management. Damian Foxall, 11th Hour Racing Team's Sustainability Program Manager was onsite with six other members of the professional sailing team to join in the river clean-up and learn more about the work being done in the local community. "
The initiatives taking place here are really impactful examples of the importance of local solutions and practical action for positive ocean health and climate change mitigation that will impact everyone around the world. What is clearly demonstrated here is that it does not matter how near or far you live from the ocean, the health of our water, rivers, soil, and land is vital for the health of everyone in the community," he concluded.
Vuyo Myoli, a farmer producing honey in Gugulethu says, “I like that our parks and waterways are being cleaned because our bees need clean water to be able to do their job, to pollinate our plants. As an urban beekeeper, clean and flourishing green spaces are important for our bees and in the production of honey. It was very encouraging to see all the people who came out to clean up the wetland and I feel positive that we are working our way to a cleaner environment. This was also a good opportunity to educate our youngsters about the importance of bees to our survival, and to give them a taste of our delicious, organic blue gum and other honey.”