Good day guys!

On the 10^th of July 2019, where after months of planning, meetings and agreements the Department of Water and Sanitation finally inaugurated the Clear River Campaign. The Clear River Campaign Open Day had guests from various stakeholders such a: Gardens City, the Environmental Monitoring Group, City of Cape Town, Cape Town disability Group, and many other stakeholders. Colleagues of the Department attended so as to listen in on this innovative campaign led by the Department.

Clear River Campaign

Among others, Miss Earth Ambassador and Winner of 2018’s Eco-Hidden Heroin Award Margo Adonis was also present as she was one of the officials leading this campaign.

The objective of the Clean Rivers campaign is to undertake a collaborative effort and actively engage communities as well as promoting and creating ongoing awareness and education on protecting our water resources. Fostering volunteerism among communities is actively encouraged as part of a proactive approach to protecting our rivers, streams, wetlands and other water ecosystems, given the drought that still persists in large parts of the country (Clear River Campaign, 2019).

Anyone can participate!

The envisaged outcomes of the campaign seek to ensure the following:

• Environmentally conscious communities;

• Well informed/ educated communities and;

• Pollution free rivers.

This campaign is in dedication to our former president and Icon of the country and globe – Nelson Mandela to mark the 67 minutes of doing something for the community on the 18^th of July annually. Though the date is celebrated every year, we plan to have the Clear River Campaign run throughout the year. We believe is a clean environment, a safe one for all who encounter it and this is what our duties mandate us to do.

 During the roll out of this campaign, communication will be implemented on various communication platforms including print, broadcast, online and social media. In addition to adverts, media engagements including media briefings and interviews will be held. The Department will work with partners in local government, private sector as well as in communities in elevating advocacy for clean rivers (Clear River Campaign, 2019).

The key Messages that will be given are as follows:

• Know where your water comes from.

• We have a responsibility to conserve and protect rivers, dams, wetlands and the environment.

• Let us clean up rivers, wetlands, streams and all freshwater ecosystems.

• And to report pollution of rivers and fresh water ecosystems to the DWS Hotline on 0800 200 200.

At the end of the inauguration, we had pledged to play our part to clean out rivers and surrounding ecosystems by signing on a pledge poster. The event was very successful and I will keep you updated as the campaign moves forward.

I took part in the pledge :)

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