Hennops River Revival has announced that it will stop operations in Hennops River, as of the 01st February 2024.
This was announced by the Hennops Revival Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Tarryn Johnston.
A teary Johnston, said the decision to stop river clean ups was difficult. “I thought we would carry on forever, but things didn’t change, they got worse.”
She is referring to the astounding results her organization has achieved in its 5 years of operation. It has collected an estimated 162, 500 bags of litter, and has dragged close to 5,000,000 kilograms of gunk from the heavily polluted Hennops.
When AfriForum gathered water samples from the River, astronomical levels of Escherichia coli were found niggling about there.
Johnston and her team risked infections of urinary tract, and other infections that could lead to pneumonia and meningitis, just by coming close to the river.
Now, Johnston says efforts of Hennops Revival, will be redirected, to focus on core activities that will hopefully address the challenges facing the river. “We are redirecting focus to water – saving and environmental education, community skills training, poverty alleviation and promoting positive social behavior to bring about lasting change” she says.
Lauded for being one of South Africa’s filthiest rivers, the Hennops, has always enjoyed attention from scientific research. Back in 1994, scientists from the Water Research Commission (WRC), alerted residents and the scientific community, to domestic and industrial waste, that was collected in the sewer system.
Back then, consultants JR Hoffmann, made a point,in the report titled “Urban Stormwater Runoff on the Quality of Water Resources” that there is no clear strategy for non-point source pollution control in South Africa.
Running somewhat heavily, the River starts in Kempton Park, on the East of Johannesburg, to the heart of Centurion.
Johnston says ceasing operations, doesn’t mean Hennops Revival has stopped working there. “In addition to volunteer clean ups, and education and training, we will still do clean up days, with corporates and schools, strictly on a volunteer basis.”
Those who care about rivers and health in general, expressed concern of what is to become of the Hennops? SADC’s awareness workshop recently highlighted an increase in cases of cholera, and other waterborne diseases. SA now has more than 40 cases reported, and some isolated one of bilharzia.
Questions were sent to Tshwane’s spokesperson, Sipho Stuurman, regarding the City’s plan for water bodies such as the Hennops.
We are still awaiting a response.
Picture: Hennops Revival