More than 14 tonnes of litter cleared from Soet River

A Helderberg river has undergone a major clean-up after more than 14 tonnes of litter were removed from the Soet River through a community-led environmental restoration project.

The work, which ran from April 2025 to June 2026, combined mechanical and manual clearing with community education and the rehabilitation of a blocked culvert that had affected water flow.

The project was supported through grant funding from the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate.

The City said the initiative was carried out by local NGO Making a Change, with the organisation undertaking targeted clean-ups, sorting collected waste and restoring the blocked culvert as part of the wider intervention.

Around 80 volunteers participated in three organised clean-up operations, contributing to litter collection, sorting, site support and specialised work linked to the culvert rehabilitation.

Residents living along the Soet River and in nearby communities were also brought into environmental discussions and awareness activities.

The project was not limited to physically clearing the river.

Making a Change incorporated environmental education and community engagement into the programme, while documentary-style videos were produced to highlight river pollution and promote more responsible disposal of waste.

‘This river runs through the community’

Picture: CoCT/Facebook

The City’s Water and Sanitation Mayoral Committee Member, Alderman Zahid Badroodien, said partnerships with community organisations form part of the work needed to protect local waterways.

‘We value the contribution of organisations and residents who are willing to get involved and make a difference in their communities. These partnerships complement the City’s work and help build greater awareness of the importance of keeping our waterways clean and protecting them for future generations,’ said Badroodien.

For Making a Change, the project also had a strong local connection.

‘For us, the Soet River project is deeply personal. The Making a Change team is from the Helderberg, and this river runs through the community we call home. Many of us have driven past it for years and watched the pollution build up, so being able to take part in restoring it meant much more than simply completing a project,’ said Dean van Schalkwyk from the organisation.

The City said the initiative demonstrates how grant-supported community projects can complement municipal environmental and water-management work, while the involvement of residents and volunteers provides an additional layer of local stewardship.

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**Picture: **CoCT/Facebook

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