Understanding and Revitalizing the Kuils River Catchment – by Environmental Clubs in Mfuleni, Cape Town, South Africa – Efforts in River Clean-Up by the Community and School Learners
by BARDALE HIGH SCHOOL – ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB
The Kuils River Catchment accommodates a large number of people living in the Western Cape. It originates from the Durbanville Hills, goes through Bellville and Kuils River, past Delft and Behlar to the townships, Mfuleni and Khayelitsha prior to joining the sea in False Bay close to Macassar.
It is used for various purposes like recreational activities such as swimming, churches use it for baptism etc. However, the river is often polluted in townships compared to other areas due to lack of service delivery, littering and poor waste management and sanitation. This causes several issues that have a negative effect on the wetland such as the over-growth of algae and the release of unpleasant odor.
Community members and schools involved with the Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) have made efforts to clean the Kuils River catchment and one of the wetlands within Mfuleni, but it is hardly enough because too much waste has accumulated. For this reason, more community involvement is needed as it is crucial in ensuring that the Kuils River Catchment is cared for by the community members and is therefore kept clean for everyone’s well-being.
