The Department of Water and Sanitation together with civil society every year embarks on the Clear Rivers Campaign during the month of July, in celebration of Mandela Month.
The campaign calls on everyone to dedicate 67minutes of their time for goodwill activities towards cleaning up streams, canals, wetlands, dams and freshwater sources.
When rivers run dry, it reminds us all that water does not come from a tap. Therefore, the Department calls on all to join the action, clean up and protect our water resources.
In South Africa, both rural and urban communities depend on rivers/water ecosystems for their livelihoods, therefore healthy rivers are critical to cater for the cultural, social and economic development of these communities.
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For economic development, wetland vegetation is used to make baskets, mats, curtain blinds and handbags. Domestic benefits of healthy rivers are that they produce clean water for drinking, cooking, washing and swimming. Healthy fish from healthy rivers is an excellent source of food for these communities.
Communities and livestock using a healthy river also stand a better chance of an improved quality of life. Culturally, clean rivers serve as sacred places for religious baptisms and cultural rituals. It is only a collaborative effort and actively engaged communities that can help protect and conserve our water resources -Let us keep our rivers clean.
