Cape Town: Eco Warriors removed over 400kg of litter from Kuils River and the Bottelary River through community-led clean-up efforts supported by the City of Cape Town. The initiative, driven by the Eerste Kuils River Catchment Management Forum (EKRCMF), is helping to improve river health while educating residents and learners about the importance of preventing pollution and protecting local waterways.
Reportedly, the EKRCMF is one of the four catchment management forums (CMFs) supported by the Water and Sanitation Directorate of the City of Cape Town to help reduce water pollution and strengthen community involvement in protecting rivers and urban waterways. Through this support, the forum has implemented a range of initiatives that aimed at improving river health and environmental awareness.
The Eco Warrior Challenge was launched for primary and high schools as a competition, with prizes awarded to the top three participants based on the weight of litter collected and the distribution of the City’s ‘Bin it, Don’t Block It’ educational material.
Soneike High School and a locally based family have significantly participated in the initiative, thus far. Already 380 educational pamphlets have been distributed, potentially reaching over 1500 residents. Other activities have included:
- Three community clean-ups along the Bottelary River which removed 416,96 kg of litter from the environment, with volunteers collecting 72 bags of waste. These efforts have helped improve the condition of the river while encouraging greater community involvement in protecting local waterways.
- Three River Wardens have been recruited through a dedicated WhatsApp group. These volunteers will serve as additional eyes and ears on the ground, reporting illegal dumping, pollution and other environmental concerns along the river corridor.
- Ten indigenous olive trees have been planted along the Bottelary River to support greening and rehabilitation efforts. A proposed Fynbos Life Circle has also been developed for the area, incorporating upcycled plastic benches, a designated pathway for dog walkers and their pets, and solar-powered lighting to encourage safe recreational use.
- Soneike Mall provided free access to its main forecourt for a three-day awareness campaign, enabling the forum to engage directly with residents and increase visibility for river protection efforts.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien stated that the City of Cape Town continues to support community-driven initiatives that help in protecting and restore the rivers and wetlands. The success of the Eco Warrior Challenge shows that young people can be powerful ambassadors for environmental stewardship.
They encouraged more schools to participate in future challenges and river conservation projects, by helping to build a generation of environmentally conscious residents while making a real difference to the health of waterways.
Considering this, Chairperson of the EKRCMF – Anthony van Rhyn stated that they are extremely grateful for the City’s support. The funding has enabled them to establish a strong identity for the campaign through branding, awareness and community engagement initiatives, while also building valuable partnerships with stakeholders.
The results achieved to date demonstrate the potential of these programmes, and additional funding would allow them to expand sustainable projects such as alien invasive clearing, eco-tourism initiatives and the establishment of permanent River Wardens.
The EKRCMF’s final clean-up event is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Majik Forest and Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the Door De Kraal Dams and will include a camp-over experience.