Around 30 residents, pupils and environmental advocates joined forces to remove 265kg of waste from the Braamfontein Spruit.
Johannesburg, South Africa (22 September 2026) – A group of around 30 community members, pupils and environmental advocates got their hands dirty in Bryanston this weekend, and the Braamfontein Spruit is better for it.
The group gathered on Sunday, 20 September, to mark World Cleanup Day, removing an impressive 265kg of waste from the river and surrounding area.
The clean-up brought together the Bryanston East Community Forum, Community Hours, Hlanzekile River and Ocean Cleaning and The President’s Award South Africa, alongside pupils from nearby schools including Redhill School and St Stithians and residents from the Bryanston community.
The day wasn’t simply about picking up rubbish. Once the waste had been collected, participants sorted it into different categories before the recyclable materials were sent for recycling, helping keep them out of landfill.
For the pupils involved, the clean-up also provided a practical lesson in how pollution affects waterways and why protecting shared environmental spaces requires everyone to play a part.
Floyd Nyai, Founder and Director of Hlanzekile River and Ocean Cleaning, said the initiative showed what can happen when young people, residents and organisations come together around a common goal.
And while 265kg of waste is a significant amount to remove in a single day, the organisers say the bigger win is creating a stronger sense of responsibility for the river and the surrounding environment.
SPAR Women’s Challenge Funds Turned Into GBV Prevention Programme
Street Lines 2026 Showcases the Best of South African Skateboarding
by 
