South Africa is home to so many gorgeous rivers. However, they’re often tainted.
There’s a time to go with the flow, but when that flow is littered, it’s time to switch things up.
South Africans have decided that the rivers in our country deserve better while commitments opposing pollution have given us a whole day dedicated to river clean up. National River Clean-up Day, as the cause is aptly titled, is celebrating its first rodeo today, September 15, 2021.
Why do rivers matter?
Well, how could they not?
According to Douw Steyn the Sustainability Director of Plastics SA, rivers and streams, beyond sustaining life, also play an important part in the water cycle and our draining channels. When rivers endure pollution, instead of the sweet flowing waters that they should be, it’s litter that becomes the unwanted passenger. This will impact the ocean destination, and consequently marine life.
In honour of today’s endeavours, here are some reminders of just how beautiful South Africa’s rivers are, and why they should stay that way. Beyond aesthetics and tourist indulgence, it’s the duty of those who care about life to help the rivers out. Water networks impact all life, after all.
Cue the snaps (and if you will, imagine Lykke Li’s I Follow Rivers strumming as your mental soundtrack to get in the river zone).
Vaal River (Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Northern Cape)
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Orange River (Northern Cape/Free State)
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Limpopo River Tugela River (Limpopo)
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Bree River (Western Cape)
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Breede River (Western Cape)
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Berg River (Western Cape)
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Liesbeek River (Western Cape)
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Groot Brakrivier (Western Cape)
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More about River Clean-up Day:
RCD was launched as a response to people wanting environmentally conscious change with a river-based focus. It’s also a way to help the ocean for those a little far away from her shores.
In the Western Cape, Help Up is an amazing clean up you can be a part of.
Around the country, some other organizations include:
Picture: Instagram @markslc01