Originally published on 28 June 2023
What was the problem?
The Jukskei River near Alexandra in Gauteng was very polluted because people dumped household rubbish and building rubble illegally, especially near the Stjwetla informal settlement. This rubbish dumping caused big problems like flood risks during the rainy season. Informal housing on unsuitable land made it worse. Even though the media had talked about it before, the problem continued. Everyone needed to work together to find long-term ways to manage waste.
How did they solve it?
Paul Maluleke led the not-for-profit organisation called the Alexandra Water Warriors in cleaning the river. They contacted the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg metro police to help make the riverbanks safer. The organisation hired 50 patrollers to stop illegal dumping and show people where they could throw away their rubbish in legal landfill sites. They also planned to set up a recycling station to cut down on waste going into the river. The Water Warriors also started a litter trap project to catch rubbish before it flowed downstream.
Mark McClue, CEO of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Action for Responsible Management of Our Rivers, has been working with Paul Maluleke for six years to keep the river clean. Their efforts turned the river into a valuable space for the community.
Acknowledgements:
Original article written by: Phathu Luvhengo
Photograph supplied by: Alaister Russell
Get your community involved
Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.
Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.
How to set up a community group
How to start a residents' association
How to set up a community policing forum
How to set up a neighbourhood watch
How to organise community action
How to use media to create pressure for change
Know your rights – how local government works
It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.
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