Environmental matters are in the spotlight once again this month and government officials are hard at work to ensure that every South African lives in a safer and clean environment. Government has made cleaning of rivers its priority. During the Adopt a River project launch in Eastern Cape on Friday last week, Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, reported that funds have been allocated towards Adopt a River project for continuity.
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with the city of Jo'burg and City Parks have adopted the Jukskei River as their project for the removal of solid waste. According to departmental officials, the upper Jukskei River clean-up project has created a total number of 30 jobs for women, youth and people with physical challenges. Through the project, employees have acquired skills in waste management, occupational health and safety, identification of alien weeds and herbicide application, water safety, snake handling, first aid, environmental education and life skills.
Officials are proud that the upper Jukskei River clean-up project has increased women and youth participation in water resource issues and capacitated them to advocate for behavioral changes and increased caring of rivers and environment in their respective communities.
According to Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, the Adopt a River project is aimed at bringing communities on board, and educating them on water resource management and the environment, in order for them to take full responsibility and to be able to make informed decisions.
Mabudafhasi warned that if communities do not take care of water, South Africa, like many other countries in Africa, is faced with a huge challenge that is likely to become a future threat if water resources are not well managed, protected, used, conserved and developed in a sustainable manner. "Currently, we are faced with challenges such as water wastage through leaks, polluted rivers, water quality, etc. We all know that water is a catalyst for any development. Without water there is no life, there will be no development, and there will be manifestation of poverty”, she advised.
Source: Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development
