Soet River clean-up removes 14 tonnes of litter

More than 14 tonnes of litter have been removed from the Soet River in Helderberg following a community-led environmental restoration project. The initiative, which ran from April 2025 to June 2026, was conducted by the local NGO Making a Change with grant funding from the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate.

The project utilized both mechanical and manual clearing methods to remove waste and included the rehabilitation of a blocked culvert to restore natural water flow. Approximately 80 volunteers participated in three organized clean-up operations, assisting with waste collection, sorting, and site support.

Beyond physical cleaning, the program focused on community engagement and environmental education. This included discussions with local residents and the production of documentary-style videos to highlight the impacts of river pollution and promote responsible waste disposal practices.