Members of the Khayelitsha Canoe Club have taken it upon themselves to clean up the wetlands, boost tourism and employ the youth in Cape Town’s most expansive township.
Khayelitsha is situated 20 minutes from Cape Town’s city centre. Translated from isiXhosa, it means ‘new home’.
Brothers Siyanda and Akhona Sopangisa started the Khayelitsha Canoe Club in 2013. Its purpose is to clean Khayelitsha’s wetlands, offer guided tours and teach residents how to swim and paddle safely.
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Siyanda connects the project’s establishment to a day in 2013 when he and Akhona witnessed a tire get thrown into a river. It hurt them to see the water being used as a dumping site. Siyanda says: “The river to me is like the blood in my veins. In our culture, everything that has water is sacred. Water gives life.”
Accompanied by their loyal dog, Nicholas Cage, Siyanda and Akhona start each day by collecting their canoe from a secured garage and head to the park to clear litter and aid the animal and birdlife.
We have the Sopangisa brothers and their students to thank for promoting conservation and protecting Khayelitsha’s wetlands and wildlife. Before every canoe lesson, the club members gather and remove litter from the river they practise in.
In addition to the environmental benefits, youth employment is increasing and tourism is being encouraged by offering river rafting and guided walking tours.
While poverty and crime are still prevalent realities in Khayelitsha, many of its residents see tourism as an opportunity to incite change.
Locals and visitors are often advised to stay away due to risk, but it’s up to us to start uplifting and supporting the people working hard to change Khayelitsha‘s reputation and instil hope, change and positive growth.
The tourism industry has the potential to give visitors an open-minded glance into the lives of this incredible community. Of course – as with many places in the world – practicing caution is necessary. But to stay away from this budding location would be a real shame.
Khayelitsha Canoe Club Details:
- Location: Khayelitsha Wetlands Park, Hlanga Crescent Makhaza.
- Contact: 079 192 6411 | [email protected]
- Facebook: Khayelitsha Canoe Club
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Picture: Supplied