Gauteng mayors unite to tackle toxic rivers
Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni mayors are joining forces to clean the Kaalspruit and Hennops rivers, after years of severe pollution and neglect.
Water Wariors members Themba Mofokeng, Deon Dlephu and Marco Zwane show how a fish trap will catch plastic bottles in the Jukskei River in Alexandra. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
Experts are keen to see what will come from the meeting this week involving three major metro mayors on the state of rivers in Gauteng.
City of Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya announced that the City of Tshwane will join Ekurhuleni and Joburg to tackle rehabilitation of the Kaalspruit catchment area.
'We have, for too long, been plagued by the declining state of the Hennops River and overwhelmed by helplessness because of our inability to address the upstream causes of pollution.'
Pollution linked to raw sewage and population pressures
The Kaalspruit conjoins river streams from Tshwane and Joburg. Moya said the causes of pollution include raw sewage, municipal waste and debris.
There is excessive erosion and the entire system past Hennops River to Hartbeespoort Dam is silted up.
'Everyone is deeply concerned about the state of the Kaalspruit as a reflection of population growth, the gap between service delivery demand and supply and the throttling effect of the resource gap,' she said.
ALSO READ: Tshwane mayor vows to clean up the capital city
Experts slam government inaction
WaterCAN's Ferrial Adam said the rivers were seriously polluted.
'What is interesting is government's lack of responsibility for this mess. Wastewater treatment works are in a critical state and there is no enforcement to hold polluters accountable.'
Adam said the priority was to fix wastewater treatment works and to put boots on the ground to enforce laws.
Hennops River Revival founder Tarryn Johnston said after six years and over five million kilograms of waste removed by the team from Hennops River, without help from government, sustainable solutions would be welcome.
Nature matters
Over the weekend a collaboration by the Nimbostratus Foundation, the Aaptwak Foundation and the Hennops River Revival Foundation saw the removal of 1 292 bags of waste from the river and surrounding areas.
Aaptwak Foundation founder Walter Pretorius said what began as a call to action to restore one of the region's most polluted waterways turned into an expression of unity, commitment and love for the environment.
'We were joined by two large volunteer groups. On Saturday, we welcomed a team from Ohio, US and on Sunday, the spirit of celebration continued with support from the Egyptian embassy, who sponsored a DJ adding a joyful rhythm to the hard work. It was about remembering why nature matters.'
NOW READ: 'Life is back to normal': Flood warnings subside with Vaal Dam levels
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
04-06-2025
- The South African
Jose Riveiro takes firm Orlando Pirates transfer decision
Many Orlando Pirates fans are feeling restless amid talk of Jose Riveiro targeting some of his former players. The Spanish tactician left the club after three glorious years at the helm of the Soweto giants. Riveiro took up arguably the biggest job on the continent in the form of leading Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Many Orlando Pirates players have already been linked with moves up North to join Riveiro. The Spanish tactician however has addressed the speculation directly and offered a firm response that may surprise some fans. READ MORE • Orlando Pirates sign Soweto-born star as Timm replacement! READ MORE • PSL side working on signing Kaizer Chiefs fan-favourite! Jose Riveiro has set the record straight regarding whether he'll try to lure some of his former players to Al Ahly! 'I have not requested the inclusion of any player from Orlando Pirates to Al Ahly out of respect for them, as I respect the club,' Riveiro told Al Ahly TV as quoted by Citizen . 'At the moment, I do not want to rush into looking for new deals. I am focusing on preparing for the Club World Cup, after which we will accurately determine our needs.' First up for Jose Riveiro is the FIFA Club World Cup which gets underway on 15 June. The former Orlando Pirates coach will meet Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the opening match of the tournament. Thereafter they'll face Palmeiras and FC Porto in their respective group stage matches. READ MORE • Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs to star PSL signing! Which Orlando Pirates players do you think can fit in at Al Ahly? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @ TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
eNCA
04-06-2025
- eNCA
Five things to know about the St Catherine monastery in Egypt's Sinai
Nestled in the Sinai mountains, the ancient St Catherine's Monastery has been the centre of recent tensions after an Egyptian court ruled last week that it sat on state-owned land. Dating back to the sixth century BC, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world's oldest continuously inhabited monastery, attracting hundreds of pilgrims and tourists every year. Following warnings from the authorities and Orthodox Church in Greece that the ruling threatens the monastery's status, a government delegation is travelling from Athens to Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the situation. - World's oldest monastery - The monastery was founded by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the sixth century at the biblical site of the burning bush at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses was believed to have received the 10 commandments, according to the world's three major monotheistic religions. It was named for Saint Catherine of Alexandria, whose remains are housed in the church, along with rare iconography and manuscripts. It is headed by the Archbishop of Mount Sinai and Raithu, under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. According to UNESCO, "the entire area is of immense spiritual significance" to Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The organisation says the monastery is "the property of the Greek Orthodox Church and belongs to the Archdiocese of Sinai". - Ownership dispute - Last Wednesday, an Egyptian appeals court ruled that the monastery "is entitled to use" the land and the archaeological religious sites dotting the area, all of which "the state owns as public property". The ruling, only a brief of which has been published by Egyptian media, has drawn criticism from the Orthodox patriarchates in Athens, Jerusalem and Istanbul. Archbishop Ieronymos, head of the Greek Orthodox church in Athens, warned the monastery's property could now be "seized and confiscated". Egypt has defended the court ruling, saying it "consolidates" the site's sacred status. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt was "fully committed to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine's monastery", in a phone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mitsotakis meanwhile emphasised the importance of "preserving the pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox character of the monastery". The delegation from Athens is expected to lay out its position on Wednesday. According to Greece's state news agency, that position "is supported by a UNESCO document, which proves that Egypt had acknowledged in writing since 2002 that the ownership of the land and buildings belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church and the Archdiocese of Sinai". - Megaproject - Construction began in March 2021 in the Saint Catherine area, which includes the eponymous town and a nature reserve, for a government megaproject known as the 'Great Transfiguration' of Saint Catherine. The project aims to bring upwards of a million tourists a year to the serene mountain village. Its many construction projects include an events hall, hundreds of hotel rooms and a new residential area housing hundreds of units. Observers say the project has harmed the reserve's ecosystem and threatened both the monastery and the local community. According to a report by World Heritage Watch, the project has "destroyed the integrity of this historical and biblical landscape". UNESCO in 2023 requested that Egypt "halt the implementation of any further development projects", conduct an impact evaluation and develop a conservation plan. The government, which is campaigning for former tourism and antiquities minister Khaled al-Enany to head UNESCO from October, said in January that 90 percent of the project was complete. - Visitors - The peaks and valleys around Saint Catherine attract large groups of hikers, peaking at 2,000 visitors to Mount Sinai in a single day last December, local authorities reported. The area, 1.5 kilometres above sea level, is particularly popular with both Egyptians and foreign tourists seeking a reprieve from overcrowded Red Sea resorts elsewhere in Sinai. - Bedouin tribe - The area is home to the Jabaliya tribe, whose name derives from the Arabic word for "mountain". Said to be the descendants of the Roman soldiers who came to guard the monastery in its early days, they maintain a close connection to Saint Catherine, with many working as tour guides today. For decades, they have been calling for better infrastructure, including reliable water supply, emergency services and telecommunications coverage to improve their work and daily life. According to World Heritage Watch, they are currently outnumbered by the thousands of labourers building the megaproject.
The South African
04-06-2025
- The South African
Orlando Pirates fight to keep key man amid Al Ahly Interest
Orlando Pirates have stepped up their efforts to retain Deon Hotto, despite mounting interest from clubs in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egyptian giants Al Ahly, now coached by former Bucs boss Jose Riveiro. The Namibian international, who joined the Buccaneers from Bidvest Wits in 2020, has become a cornerstone of the squad thanks to his relentless work ethic, adaptability, and leadership both on and off the pitch. With his current deal nearing its expiry, Pirates have already tabled a renewal offer. The club is determined to reward the 34-year-old for his consistent performances and senior presence in the team. 'The club is keen to renew his contract,' said the source. Hotto's influence stretches beyond match days. Inside the dressing room, he plays a vital leadership role that the club sees as essential to nurturing its younger talent. As the Soweto giants gear up for future campaigns, blending youth with experience remains a top priority, making Hotto's retention even more critical. Reports linking Hotto with a reunion with Jose Riveiro at Al Ahly have surfaced, but sources believe a move is improbable. While Riveiro is said to admire Hotto, key decisions at the Cairo-based club require board-level approval. The source also revealed that age could be a sticking point in any potential transfer. With Hotto now in his thirties, Al Ahly may be reluctant to invest in a veteran. Despite the interest from abroad, Orlando Pirates remain laser-focused on tying Hotto down for the long term. Talks are believed to be at an advanced stage. With the club eager to finalise the deal before pre-season preparations begin. With Hotto's influence showing no signs of fading. Keeping him at Mayfair appears to be a top priority for a team looking to stay competitive both domestically and continentally. Will Orlando Pirates convince Hotto to stay? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
