• Kilimanjaro 2009 - The Enviromark Team takes the step...
• Coastal Cleanup - a responsibility to the Marine Environment
• Plastics Federation supports Big Events
• EWT - Keeping the Inland Connections Clean
• How YOU can contribute to healthy river and coastal ecosystems

• Coastal Cleanup - a responsibility to the marine environment!

Every year many organizations around the world unite forces to help the environment during the International Coastal Cleanup Day occurring in September. Almost 100 countries and thousands of volunteers around the globe picked up garbage on Saturday 17 September. This year, the Rhodes University Underwater Club decided to give something back to the ocean in return for all the joy that the ocean has brought to our group by becoming part of the South African Coastal Cleanup volunteer team.

A coastal clean up with the participation of 30 members of the club was organized on Saturday 29 September. The day started off cloudy, cold and windy and the possibilities of having to cancel the activity were likely. However, a member of the club that live in Port Alfred reported that the ocean conditions were fine, but it was going to be very unpleasant because of the cold. After much debating between the organizers and a few people scared off and cancelling their participation, it was decided that as long as there were motivated volunteers the Coastal Cleanup was still going to happen.

A group full of energy but covered with thick layers of jackets and other warm clothes, departed at 10h30 and drove to the Kariega River situated between Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea to serve their duty to the environment. The group divided in three smaller groups to clean up the river area by walking along the beach, snorkelling or scuba diving. The weather was on our side because the cold and wind dropped off and the rain hold out until the group finished collecting the garbage at around 14h30. A total of 6 large bags were collected and 10 large objects including tyres, old prawn pumps, carpets and metal frames were also found. The approximate of weight of the garbage was about 25 kilograms. The most peculiar object found was a pack of automatic bullets which were packed separately and taken to Kenton-on-sea’s police station for reporting and correct disposal.

After the hard work, the group agreed that the experience is definitely something to repeat again. The committee are hoping to organise another Ocean Cleanup event in 2008 as well as get help from the local public.

All of this work could not be undertaken without the generous help of Kowie Toyota. Many thanks for sponsoring transport, lunch and dive cylinders to the Rhodes University Underwater Club members. Working together, even the cold weather could not spoil the duty to cleanup the marine environment, and the day was a great success and should encourage all to follow this good example.

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One of the Enviromark's "Plastics Litter Strategies" for 2008 and the future is to identify and support BIG EVENTS such as sports, concerts and rallies and to gear up for a world event such as the 2010 World Cup Soccer. Together with PETCO, Nampak Liquid Packaging, Atlantic Plastics and Fairest Cape Association, the Enviromark assisted with plastics waste management of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Race, which took place in Cape Town on Sunday 9 March 2008. The Enviromark team, armed with bright yellow T-shirts, caps, refuse bags and loads of enthusiasm, focused on creating an awareness of the litter generated at such events. They encouraged the public to "THINK TWICE and TAKE THE STEP" towards an effective clean-up campaign during and after the race. Saturday, 22 March 2008 saw our teams involved with similar gusto and enthusiatic support at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon which started in Noordhoek, Cape Town. The good news is that all plastics sachets and bottles collected will be recycled.   “Congratulations to the Plastic Federation of South Africa for taking the first step in educating the South African public about the realities of litter on our country's roads.  As runners we have first hand knowledge of the slobs that South Africans are. All sorts of rubbish is flung from cars on roads across our beautiful country. While running next to the road, it is difficult to ignore this fact, and an aggressive litter awareness campaign is the only solution.”  (Bruce Fordyce – 9 times Comrades Marathon winner)

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EWT and the International Coastal Clean-up - Keeping the Inland Connections Clean

As part of National Cleanup week and the International Coastal Clean-up initiative in South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust partnered with Toyota SA (sponsors), the Soul Foundation (coordinators) and others to tackle the clean-up of an 850m section of the Jukskei River. By participating in the event, the EWT aimed to highlight the linkages between inland and coastal ecosystem health. Approximately 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources, much of which stems from poor catchment management leading to polluted rivers which then carry their toxic loads into the oceans. The event served to emphasise the desperate need for improved management of our country’s inland water resources for healthier oceans and coasts and improved national wellbeing.

Gauteng Rivers: fresh water lifelines to the sea
The rivers in Gauteng are essential fresh water resources which provide a variety of environmental goods and services. The City of Johannesburg is unique in that it is the only metropolis in the world which is not located on a navigable river, estuary or seaport. It obtains most of its water via the Vaal River from an adjoining region in Gauteng. Johannesburg straddles the Witwatersrand, a string of low, rocky ridges that forms the watershed between two drainage systems flowing into both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. These catchments drain either into the Klip River in the South or into the Jukskei river in the North. The Klip River a tributary of the Vaal River, flows into the Orange River and ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The Jukskei River, one of the main tributaries of the Crocodile River, flows northwards through the Hartebeespoort dam and ultimately drains into the Indian Ocean.

The Jukskei Catchment: A river system under siege
The 77 650 ha catchment area of the Jukskei drains a large portion of the Witwatersrand. It is bound by Johannesburg in the south, Midrand in the north, Roodepoort in the west, and Kempton Park in the east. This densely populated region impacts negatively on the river water quality. The Jukskei catchment falls into a summer rain- fall area, receiving almost 50% of its rainfall from November to February. Pollution associated with urban run-off, sewage, and industrial activity is prevalent throughout the catchment. Main industrial areas draining into the Jukskei River system include Sebenza, Spartan and Chloorkop in the Modderfontein Spruit catchment, and Kew, Wynberg and Marlboro surrounding Alexandra. The catchment also contains a large number of golf courses and parks.

Unloading the Jukskei - A joint effort
With sponsorship from Toyota SA, the SOUL Foundation efficiently coordinated an effective multiparty clean-up event with participation from a wide variety of dedicated partners including the EWT, members of the Alexandra community, JHB Parks, Pikitup, and the River Rangers. Both the EWT’s Marine and Coastal Working Group (MCWG) and the Conservation Leadership Group (CLG) were involved in the effort. Fifteen students from the Leadership Training Programme (LTP) of the CLG volunteered their time and energy in return for first-hand experience of the threats facing our country’s urban rivers. The activity provided the LTP students with a valuable field-work opportunity in catchment management and conservation communication, towards completion of assignments for a Diploma in Nature Conservation from UNISA. Realogile High School, one of the CLG’s Eco-warrior affiliated schools in Alexandra provided a further contingent of 50 enthusiastic learners under the capable and inspiring guidance of their teacher Ms Ndlovhu. By participating in the event, the learners were exposed to both the negative impacts of such unnecessary human behaviour as well as the potential for each one of us to improve our collective health and wellbeing by appropriate waste management.

A Hefty Achievement
As shown below, impressive loads were collected and removed for proper disposal.

The collective effort was a great success, resulting in a huge positive change in the state/health of this stretch of river and surrounds. In addition to removal of the solid waste that was deposited in the riverbed and riparian zone, the public open space next to the river was rehabilitated and now provides a more attractive and healthy public amenity.

Before the cleanup
After the cleanup

The entire event gained wide print media coverage and was filmed by SATV for inclusion in a forthcoming 50/50 environmental programme feature on the Jukskei River and efforts being made by various parties to improve its quality and health. Future partnership initiatives will include not only maintenance of the stretch of river cleaned, but also implementing plans for sustainable management of the area. This will require a dedicated effort from all responsible decision-makers as well as support from the local shops, businesses, residents and community organisations. The EWT will continue to highlight the catchments to coasts linkages and to promote improved waste management by all individuals country-wide.

The Soul Foundation focuses on cleaning up rivers and setting up an integrated self-sustainable community waste management system. The Soul Foundation is a non profit organisation with Kim Kieser at the helm. Last year, the Soul Foundation embarked on a project in Alexandra, Johannesburg, to restore the Jukskei River, create jobs for the unemployed, teach residents to recycle and provide those working on the project with their own business. The results so far have been amazing. In just four months, there has been more than a 4000 percent increase in recycling, more than 365 tons of waste have been removed from a 1km stretch of the river, and more than R13 000 has been made for Alex Recycling. Contact them at soulf@telkomsa.net

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