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Pollution still an issue in the Jukskei river, especially with rain season coming
As the rainy season approaches, concerns have arisen among Sandton residents living near or along the Jukskei river regarding pollution management solutions for the upcoming winter months.
Lauren Nightingale, a resident of Buccleuch actively involved in Jukskei river cleaning efforts, was interviewed on August 15 to provide insights into the current state of the river before the rainy season.
Read more: Morningside resident puts river spruit first
“The amount of litter and rubbish in the river is alarming; many are unaware of the importance of preserving our water,” Nightingale expressed. “Pollution is continuously discharged along the river’s course from its origin to its end. In the past, the river was home to fish and crabs; nowadays, only chickens are released during traditional ceremonies.”
Nightingale emphasized the critical state of the Jukskei river, which converges with the Crocodile and Hennops rivers in the Rhenosterspruit area.
“Currently, it seems that non-profit organizations are the primary entities taking action regarding our rivers,” Nightingale remarked. “The Gauteng government is said to have over 3,000 green warriors employed. The last notable intervention was when they assisted with the Cholera outbreak in Mpumalanga. More focus is needed on addressing the river crises.”
Taryn Johnston, the founder of Hennops River Revival, shared insights on the Jukskei’s past glory before human activities turned it into a convenient dumping ground. Johnston recalled the river’s journey from a natural spring in Ellis Park through regions like Alexandra, Buccleuch 1, and Morningside.
“The river was once clean and supported diverse aquatic life,” Johnston reminisced on September 8. “In earlier times, fish species like yellowfish and tilapia thrived, providing sustenance. Indigenous plants adorned the riverbanks, along with the presence of crabs, highlighting the river’s rich biodiversity.”
Also read: The Jukskei River sorely needs cleaning up
Johnston cautioned against consuming water from the Jukskei river and recounted an incident where she witnessed an individual performing a ritualistic act involving the river water.
“We observed a man pouring Jukskei River water over himself as part of a ritual, accompanied by candles of various colors,” Johnston recalled. “It is strongly advised to avoid drinking or even coming into contact with the river water to prevent potential illnesses.”
In closing, Johnston commended several groups actively engaged in rejuvenating the Jukskei river:
- Alexandra Water Warriors: A community initiative dedicated to river cleaning and implementing pollution traps to capture debris.
- WaterCAN: A citizen science network under OUTA advocating for clean and sustainable water.
- Deep Water Movement: Engaged in water quality monitoring across various rivers and hosting educational events like the ‘Crisis Intervention Convention’ addressing water and waste challenges in South Africa.
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